Wizards use late run to edge reeling Raptors, 112-109
Mar 23, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) and Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) leap for a loose ball during the first half at Capital One Arena. credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Jordan Poole, Deni Avdija and Richaun Holmes all recorded double-doubles, and the Washington Wizards used a late 8-0 run to send the visiting Toronto Raptors to a 10th consecutive loss with a 112-109 decision on Saturday in Washington, D.C.
A back-and-forth affair with 15 ties and 26 lead changes, Toronto pulled ahead on a Gary Trent Jr. 3-pointer with 4:07 remaining. Bruce Brown followed it up with a lay-in on the next possession, putting the Raptors up by three points.
But a bucket from Poole then a block of Trent by Holmes led to a Kyle Kuzma dunk. The swing was part of Washington's decisive push, giving it a lead it held the rest of the way.
The initial 8-0 burst was part of an overall 11-2 run, capped when Poole dished his 12th assist to Corey Kispert for a 3-pointer. Kispert finished with 18 points, making him one of six Wizards to score in double figures.
Poole had 18 points, Holmes finished with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, and Marvin Bagley III came off the bench for 10 points and eight rebounds.
Avdija led the way with 22 points to go with his 13 rebounds, but he missed a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left that gave Toronto one last shot at overtime. Brown fired a corner 3-pointer as time expired that rimmed off, and Washington claimed back-to-back wins for just the third time this season.
The Raptors, meanwhile, extended their losing skid to the franchise's longest since dropping 13 in a row in 2010-11.
Trent scored a game-high 31 points to lead a heavily depleted Toronto lineup. The Raptors remained without the corps of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl, four of the team's five primary starters.
Rookie Gradey Dick scored 17 points while making the start, and Kelly Olynyk recorded a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
—Field Level Media
NBA Best Bets: Expert Picks for Tuesday’s Playoff Action
Top Remaining Veterans Teams Should Target After NFL Draft
Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars
Top Quarterbacks to Watch for the 2027 NFL Draft
- Best MLB Strikeout Props for April 28th Yankees vs Rangers & Red Sox vs Blue Jays
- NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Pistons vs Magic and Nuggets vs Timberwolves
- UFC Vegas 116 Best Bets: Full Card Picks, Props, and Betting Predictions
- Best Betting Picks for Saturday’s NBA Playoff Matchups
- Friday NBA Picks & Predictions: Best Bets for April 24 Playoff Slate
- MLB Best Bets Today: Strikeout Props and Total Plays to Target
- NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets

