2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards
Now that the regular season has ended, we’ve switched into playoff mode here at Friendly Bounce. To kick off our coverage, we’re bringing you some unique previews of every series. You’ll find a #10WordRecap of each team’s season, a recap of their season using emojis, important Vines, and reasons why they will, and won’t, win their first-round matchup.
Toronto Raptors (4): By Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall)
#10WordRecap
Great start, terrible middle. Did enough to win horrible Atlantic.
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
T Dot takes flight
DEMAR
That’s tough, Jonas
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Raptors will win because…
The cliche goes that defense wins championships, but guess what. You also need to score points. And no one in the Eastern Conference scores points better than the Toronto Raptors. Not the Atlanta Hawks. Not the Cleveland Cavaliers. Certainly not the Washington Wizards. Whether it’s DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Lou Williams, or someone else stepping up, the Toronto Raptors are going to score a lot of points. This is no longer the young and cute Raptors just happy to be in the playoffs. Following in the path of their fearless point guard, this Toronto team wants to rip you to shreds like a real Raptor would. And the Wizards? They don’t stand a chance against these sharp claws. They are the North.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Raptors will lose because…
It’s too bad for the Raptors that the playoffs weren’t held a few months ago, because then they would have been favorites to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now? not so much. The Wizards present a troubling matchup down low with the duo of Marcin Gortat and Nene. The Raptors can counter with Jonas Valanciunas, but who knows how that is going to work out. Toronto’s big man doesn’t even play in the fourth quarter on a regular basis anymore. In addition, the Raptors can’t stop anybody. Only the Nets have a worse defensive efficiency rating, with the Raps giving up almost 105 points per 100 possessions. If Gortat and Nene control the paint and the Raptors can’t keep Wall and Beal in front of them it’s going to be a long summer up North.
Washington Wizards (5): By Ian Dougherty (@IanDougherty)
#10WordRecap
Wizards hit just enough long twos to get 5th seed.
Emoji Recap
Three Most Important Vines
John Wall on playing for Miyah
Otto…………………….
https://vine.co/v/O0H0zKrnYMK
360
“Woke up an optimist. Sun was shining, I’m positive.” The Wizards will win because…
John Wall and Brad Beal are two young studs that can keep the offense afloat against most defenses with their speed and scoring ability. In the post, Marcin Gortat and Nene make up a formidable duo on both ends of the floor. If Paul Pierce can shoot the ball as accurately as he took shots at current and former teammates in a recent interview, the Wizards will be in good shape.
“Too many Urkels on your team that’s why your wins low.” The Wizards will lose because…
His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman. His name is Randy Wittman.