Washington Wizards Blow 23 Point Lead in Loss to Toronto Raptors
The Washington Wizards (2-8) had another fourth quarter lead evaporate, this time to the Toronto Raptors (5-5) as they fell 111-107.
After scoring 106 points in the first 41 minutes of the game, the Wizards could only score one in the last 7:25 of the fourth quarter.
That singular point came off a free throw by Washington forward Kyle Kuzma with 5:47 left in the game, part of the 34 he scored including 12 coming off three-point shots.
READ MORE: Catch Up From The Wizards First Half vs. The Raptors
For the next five and a half minutes Wizards fans would be left stunned, again, as the Raptors and forward Pascal Siakam would storm back from 12 down and take the lead with eight seconds to go.
Siakam punished Washington all night and ended with a team high 39 points.
Part of that punishment helped Toronto dominate in the paint ending in a 76-48 points spread at the end of the night.
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) battles for the ball with Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
In the fourth quarter specifically, Washington was torched in that department giving up 22 points in the paint compared to just eight themselves.
As the fourth quarter moved along it was obvious there was a glaring hole for the interior defense and it was led by the continued absence of the teams best post defender, shot blocker, and rebounder center Daniel Gafford.
The Raptors took advantage of Gafford being curiously absent from the game and continued to get the ball inside for easy points with little resistance.
READ MORE: Guard Delon Wright To Miss Time With Injury
No one from Washington could stop Siakam, truthfully, but it wasn't a good look to not have your big man in the game down the stretch.
The Wizards head back home now after the disappointing two-game road trip but have no time to sulk as they welcome a star-studded Dallas Mavericks team that is looking to build on their fast start and take advantage of the same reappearing flaws on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
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