Deni Avdija had 22 points and added 13 rebounds and the Washington Wizards handed the Toronto Raptors their 10th consecutive defeat by winning 112-109 on Saturday.
Kyle Kuzma contributed to the victory with important baskets late in the game to compensate for a low efficiency rate during the match. The team from the American capital thus signed a third series of two defeats this season.
Bruce Brown missed a three-point shot that would have forced overtime in the final seconds of the game. The only Canadian team in the NBA has not won since March 3.
It was arguably the Raptors’ best chance to end their longest slide of the season. They notably reduced the turnovers that hurt them during a home loss Friday night against Oklahoma City.
Without their top three scorers and with only eight healthy players available, however, the Raptors made costly mistakes and slumped after leading by 11 points.
Kuzma made four of his last six shots in the final minutes after converting just three in 12 attempts previously. Jordan Poole also shone in the fourth quarter with 14 of his 18 points in his comeback.
Richaun Holmes made sure to help his team keep the ball by recovering 14 balls under the baskets. The local favorites had 55 rebounds to 42 for the Raptors.
But it was Avdija, the ninth selection in the 2020 draft, who was the star of the evening.
“I have confidence in him, so we’re definitely giving him the ball more often,” said Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe. It also comes partly from his rebounds: it leads him to push in transition. But his ability to get under the baskets, for him and his teammates, it’s great. »
Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors with 31 points. Rookie Gradey Dick added 17 and Kelly Olynyk totaled 14 points and 10 assists.
Tristan Vukcevic, drafted in the second round in 2023, played three minutes in his NBA debut for the Wizards after signing a two-year contract last week. Marvin Bagley III returned after missing nine games due to back spasms and scored 10 points.
“It just gives us more leverage and versatility,” Keefe said. We always talk about rebounds with Marvin, but he brought some offensive punch, so we’re excited to have him back. »
Elsewhere in the NBA
Nets 93 – Knicks 105
BRK: Miles Bridges led the Nets with 18 points.
NY: Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks offense with 31 points. He added six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Kings 109 – Magic 107
SAC: De’Aaron Fox had 31 points while Domantas Sabonis grabbed 14 rebounds and had eight assists.
ENT: Jonathan Isaac scored 25 points while Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed eleven rebounds.
Hornets 91 – Hawks 132
CHA: Miles Bridges had 27 points and Nick Richards had 16 rebounds.
ATL: Dejounte Murray was the author of 28 points and 12 assists. Clint Capela grabbed ten rebounds.
Celtics 124 – Bulls 113
BOS: Jayson Tatum had 26 points while teammates Al Horford and Sam Hauser each scored 23 points.
CHI: DeMar DeRozan had 28 points and 9 assists
Suns 131 – Spurs 106
PHO: Devin Booker had a great night with 32 points.
SA: Victor Wembanyama was limited to 13 points.
Jazz 119 – Rocket 147
UTA: 25-point evening for John Collins.
HOU: Jalen Green had fun with 41 points.
Nuggets 114 – Trail Blazers 111
DEN: Aaron Gordon scored twice with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
POR: Duop Reath amassed 24 points.
2024-03-24 03:30:00
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