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The Washington Wizards returned home on Saturday for a contest against the Toronto Raptors. Washington led by three at halftime but succumbed to Toronto’s second-half surge in its 134-125 loss.
Washington made five of its first eight 3-pointers to begin the game and shot 7-13 from deep in the opening quarter. Jamir Watkins, who didn’t play in the Wizards’ 126-96 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, made his first two triples, as did Jaden Hardy, who bounced back after a 5-for-19 shooting display in his last showing.
Bilal Coulibaly starred in the first half, tallying 11 points, four rebounds and four assists, all of which were team highs at the time. The Raptors trimmed Washington’s 13-point advantage to just three at halftime, with the score 64-61 entering the second half.
Kyshawn George continued his perfect shooting by knocking down a 34-foot three before dunking through contact on the ensuing offensive possession to give him 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting. But George missed his next two shots, and as he cooled off, so did the Wizards.
Will Riley made some nifty passes in the third quarter to pull Washington back, but Toronto’s improved effort gave it a 98-92 lead entering the final frame.
The Wizards rested four of their five starters — George, Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Tre Johnson — for the entire fourth quarter as the Raptors pulled away. Johnson (ankle sprain) and George (knee contusion) were on minutes restrictions, coach Brian Keefe said pregame.
Washington competed for four quarters for the first time in four games, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Raptors, 134-125. Riley scored a team-high 19 points on 6-10 FG.