Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors come from victories over Utah Jazz when they open a two-game series in Toronto on Saturday night.
The difference is rest. The sorcerers have not played since their 125-122 home victory over jazz on Wednesday. Raptors defeated Jazz 118-109 on Friday to open a four-game home and will complete back-to-back games.
The sorcerers, in the last place in the Eastern Conference, and 13th place Raptors will meet again on Monday.
The Raptors rested RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl on Friday and left Immanuel Quickley to get a season best 34 points against Utah.
Scottie Barnes added 22 points, 12 returns, six assists, two steals and three blocks when Raptors won his third match in a row.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said Quickley will rest on Saturday.
“I thought his chemistry with Scottie was really good tonight in some actions they run together but also played by each other,” Rajakovic said.
It was Quickley’s highest score in total since he joined Raptors from New York Knicks in a trade last season. His best career is 40.
Raptors closed the game with Quickley and Barnes on the track on Friday, but they were on the bench at the end of a victory 114-113 over Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
“I just felt that the game was still close, and I thought they needed these representatives,” Rajakovic said. “From game to game I will decide who will get these representatives to close the game.”
Ja’kobe Walter, who made the winning 3-pointer against Orlando as one of the young players on the track to end the match, had 14 points on Friday but missed the second half with a right quadriceps tribe.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Rajakovic said.
Raptors are dealing with damage to and AGBAJI (ankle), Grady Dick (knee) and Jonathan Mogbo (nose). Chris Boucher (tooth extraction) also missed the game on Friday.
The sorcerers would like to see 7-foot beginner Alex Sarr, the total election no. 2 in the 2024 NBA draft, is based on his 21-point performance in the victory over Utah on Wednesday, when his game in color improved.
“Definitely just trying to be aggressive,” Sarr said. “Get a few simple around the edge before you distance.”
Wizards coach Brian Keefe said he wants Sarr to carry what he showed in that performance for the rest of the season.
“Be aggressive, establish yourself early in color,” Keefe said. “It collapses the defense. He is such a good passersby. It will lead to him finding other guys.”
Sarr had two blocked shots, one steal, five returns and four assists on Wednesday. He was 2-for-4 in 3-point attempts and 8-for-12 from the field in total.
“He can roll and pop, and he can play from both,” Keefe said. “He can play in the short role. He can play on the pop. These are unique skills sets for a guy of his size. That’s why we have him.”
Kyshawn George led Washington with 23 points on Wednesday.
Jordan Poole (Elbow) missed his third straight game on Wednesday but practiced on Friday. Richaun Holmes did not play against the jazz either, and Malcolm Brogdon (Ankel) missed his seventh game in a row.
Raptors won the second meeting with Wizards this season, 106-82 on January 29.
-Field level media
