Beal leads short-handed Wizards to victory over Raptors

Rudi Schuller

Beal leads short-handed Wizards to victory over Raptors image

Despite a big night for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, the Toronto Raptors were unable to hold off the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on Friday (AEDT).

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The Wizards trailed until the third quarter, when they pulled ahead by as much as seven points before pushing the Raptors in a see-saw fourth quarter that ultimately went Washington's way in a 122-119 result. 

Lowry led all scorers with 29 points, while DeRozan chipped in 23 as Toronto's All-Star backcourt was in vintage form.

For the Wizards, All-Star guard Bradley Beal overcame a terrible first-half performance to rack up a team-high 27 points in the winning effort.

One of the reasons to Wizards were able to come back was their dominance under the rim, with Washington holding a 44-32 advantage in rebounding.

Washington hauled in four more offensive rebounds than the Raptors did, which could be seen as the difference in what ended up being a three-point game.

 

Rudi Schuller