2018 PLAYOFFS: (1) Toronto vs. (8) Washington

The Wizards lose at home to Orlando, and back into a first round playoff series against the Toronto Raptors. I doubt either team is thrilled about this. The Wizards swept the Raps in 2015, and tend to be a tough out in the first round. Washington had an opportunity to play the depleted Celtics in round 1, but instead will face the top-seeded Raptors.

After their obligatory game 1 loss, I think Toronto wins this one in 6. It's gonna be painful at times, but I think Toronto is just too good for a Wizards team that just doesn't have its shit together.

Raptors in a tough 6 games.

Get the brooms, this might be a sweep.

Raps in 6. Wizards are a strong team that are better than the #8 seed they ended up taking.

The Wizards have had the Raptors' number in the past, but they've also sputtered to a 3-7 finish in the final ten games of the regular season. The Raptors have had perhaps the quietest 59-23 season in NBA history, and I think that's got a lot of people writing them off as a fluke. The Wizards will probably give them some trouble, but I don't think we'll see another upset by an eighth seed. Raptors in 6.

It's not 2015 anymore son. Raptors in 5, assuming Lowry only has one game where he forgets how to shoot.

Wizard just signed Ty Lawson...anyway Raptors in 6

No match. Individual match up much favors the Raptors.

Raps in easy 6.

I feel like Washington is going to get beat up inside in this series. Raptors in 6.

Game 1 curse has been broken.

17 years ayyyy.

Raptors up 2-0. I'm starting to think they can get the job done in five games.

[Dee4Three]

As I said before the series started, WAS was going to get beat up inside.

Gortat is a non factor, and Ian Mahinmi is just not good enough. Jonas had his way. I still think this is an interesting series, and wouldn't be surprised if WAS evens it up 2-2 winning both games at home.

I wonder what's next for Washington (Offseason), clearly this formula is not working.

Last edited by Dee4Three on Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

I'm guessing the cap will rise again this offseason, but with over $124 million in salaries, Washington should still be over it. That doesn't leave them with a lot of options that don't involve trading one of their core players, so I guess it'll come down to who has the most value, and who they're willing to give up. They have the fifth highest payroll in the league, yet they're mired in mediocrity; not an enviable position at all.

They really fucked themselves up matching that Nets max offer to Porter and that Mahinmi contract.

They really fucked themselves up matching that Nets max offer to Porter and that Mahinmi contract.

Paying Mahinmi $16 mil last year, this year, and through 18-19 and 19-20... is really stupid.

Even with the way salaries have ballooned, those are some bad contracts (more so Mahinmi). If nothing else, it's locked them into the current core, barring them pulling off a shrewd trade.

Congratulations to Toronto for winning the NBA TV bowl in six games. I'm sure the rest of the East is shaking in their boots.

I take it you no longer feel they have a good shot at coming out of the East?