Wizards vs. Raptors Preview: Washington finishes preseason with a visit from the Raptors

Game Info

When: Friday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Verizon Center in Washington, DC.
TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic
Radio: Wizards Mobile App

Injury Report

Otto Porter and Jason Smith are game time decisions for the Wizards, while Ian Mahinmi is out until at least late November.

For the Raptors, Jared Sullinger and Terrence Ross are game time decisions and Delon Wright is out until late December.

What to expect from the game

Limited minutes from the starters, if they play at all

Scott Brooks has emphasized rest for his high-workload players, so don’t be surprised if one or more starters sits this one out. While it’s likely that the Wizards have already more or less decided which unguaranteed players will round out the roster, it’s common for coaches to give fringe guys a lot of run at the end of preseason to show other teams what they can do. We’ll probably see a lot of units with only one or two guys who are still on the team when the regular season starts.

John Wall will probably play, since he’s still working his way back into game shape, so hopefully we’ll get at least a few minutes of Wall vs. Kyle Lowry, which is a fun match-up, even in the preseason.

Can Andrew Nicholson keep the momentum rolling?

After a slow start to the preseason, Andrew Nicholson has put together a string of good games, including a 19 point effort against Cleveland earlier this week. Nicholson’s teammates and coaches have been heaping praise on him. The forward is generally thought to have underachieved a bit earlier in his career with Orlando, and a breakout year from him would be a good shot in the arm for the Wizards.

The Raptors are a bit thin defensively in the frontcourt these days, so Nicholson really has a chance to shine. Check out Fim’s breakdown of Nicholson’s game here.

Most Likely Wizard Killer: Cory Joseph

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Though he’s not a volume scorer like more prototypical #WizKillers, Cory Joseph has a history of breaking the Wizards’ hearts. Expect him to play inexplicably well, and hit a half-court shot to win the game or something.