Washington (19 - 1)

Expert Pick
100% ····················>< 0%

Toronto (9 - 12)

East Coast Clash


At this moment Washington are sitting top of the table in the East and the Raptors are currently sitting in sixth place. Both teams getting off to a solid start is I'm sure no surprise to anyone. The Wizards before the season would have been pegged as one of the favourites this season and The Raptors have made some recent moves which may also include them in that conversation. This will be a clash of a few first ballot hall of famers and all time players, in Lebron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, which fans should really appreciate as who knows when and if they will all take the court again. The Raptors unfortunately have been without Durant for some of the start of the season, he has only played five games, which im sure has something to do with why they are not sitting a little higher on the standings. GM, Dylan has clearly gone all in and has his eyes set on taking out the championship as he moved a lot of good young talent to get two of the best in the league. All the credit to him with those movers, he saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. The Wizards only relevant recent move was trading Zach Levine who Josh was probably still heartbroken over him not playing finals for him last season. Perhaps the trust was not able to be mended and he was moved for Jrue Holiday, which is a move I really like. Jrue adds winning pedigree and surefire defence, and a little less risk than with Lavine.

At this moment Washington are sitting top of the table in the East and the Raptors are currently sitting in sixth place.

Both teams getting off to a solid start is I'm sure no surprise to anyone. The Wizards before the season would have been pegged as one of the favourites this season and The Raptors have made some recent moves which may also include them in that conversation.

This will be a clash of a few first ballot hall of famers and all time players, in Lebron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, which fans should really appreciate as who knows when and if they will all take the court again.

The Raptors unfortunately have been without Durant for some of the start of the season, he has only played five games, which im sure has something to do with why they are not sitting a little higher on the standings.
GM, Dylan has clearly gone all in and has his eyes set on taking out the championship as he moved a lot of good young talent to get two of the best in the league. All the credit to him with those movers, he saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.

The Wizards only relevant recent move was trading Zach Levine who Josh was probably still heartbroken over him not playing finals for him last season. Perhaps the trust was not able to be mended and he was moved for Jrue Holiday, which is a move I really like. Jrue adds winning pedigree and surefire defence, and a little less risk than with Lavine.

Wizards Star

Lebron James
If we aren't talking about the King in this segment what are we even doing? am I right?

Age obviously isn't applicable or relevant when we are talking about Lebron. He just keeps defying all the doubts and keeps performing at his all time level.

This season is no different. The Wizards with Lebron behind the wheel are currently undefeated after 11 games and with no signs of slowing down.

James has played all 11 games and is averaging over 30 minutes per game and in those minutes is averaging over 40 points along with some nice counting stats.

Has anyone ever averaged 40 and 40? Being 40 minutes and 40 points... I doubt it, but maybe we can see it with Lebron.

PPG 41.7

RPG 9.2

APG 4.8

SPG 1.4

BPG 2.1

FPG 2.0

TPG 2.1

PPG 35.1

RPG 3.8

APG 4.0

SPG 0.9

BPG 0.4

FPG 2.1

TPG 0.4

Raptors Star

Stephen Curry
Steph Curry has been the most important and reliable player so far this season which is shock to hear.

This season Curry is putting up just over 36 points per game and has really had to carry the load for at times the short handed Raptors.

When his running mate Kevin has played they are both contributing on a huge level and this team needs that for them to be successful.

Curry has shown that he can still lead a contending team and the Raptors will need him to continue that.

X-Factor
Both these teams are both clearly structured around a 1,2 punch combination. The Raptors having Durant and Curry and the Wizards having Lebron and Booker. both these combos score almost the same for their teams. The Raptors combo are putting up 70.5 points combined, and the Wizards combo are doing very similar with 69.7 combined points per game. The same goes for both teams that no one is averaging over 20 points per game besides the mentioned names. So this matchup might depend on a few things. Which third player can step up and up their scoring getting their team over the line, or is there someone on either team that can stop one or two of these guys from having their normal input and securing a win on the defensive end... DEFENSIVE X-FACTORS I am going to mention who will be the X factor on the defensive end. As I feel the team who can slow one of these four names may give their side the edge it needs. Jrue Holiday For the Wizards that is no other than the recently acquired Jrue Holiday. In this matchup he will need to do exactly what he was brought here to do, guard the best opposing player on the court and in this instance thats Steph Curry. Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league and will need to put that reputation to the test in this one. There aren't many if any occasions this year were Curry has been able to be subdued. So Holiday will definitely has his work cut out for him, but if he can wrangle him up, then a victory is definitely on the cards. Josh Hart For the Raptors I would say their X factor is Josh Hart, who I would imagine is given the task of guarding Devin Booker. It appears that Lebron can't be slowed so far this season, and I would imagine Durant would be tasked with that one. But if Hart can make it a tough night for Booker as mentioned it might give his team the edge it needs. Hart has the size and physicality to make Bookers night hard and all those tools will be needed in order to do so.

X-Factor

Both these teams are both clearly structured around a 1,2 punch combination. The Raptors having Durant and Curry and the Wizards having Lebron and Booker.

both these combos score almost the same for their teams. The Raptors combo are putting up 70.5 points combined, and the Wizards combo are doing very similar with 69.7 combined points per game.

The same goes for both teams that no one is averaging over 20 points per game besides the mentioned names. So this matchup might depend on a few things. Which third player can step up and up their scoring getting their team over the line, or is there someone on either team that can stop one or two of these guys from having their normal input and securing a win on the defensive end...

DEFENSIVE X-FACTORS

I am going to mention who will be the X factor on the defensive end. As I feel the team who can slow one of these four names may give their side the edge it needs.

Jrue Holiday

For the Wizards that is no other than the recently acquired Jrue Holiday. In this matchup he will need to do exactly what he was brought here to do, guard the best opposing player on the court and in this instance thats Steph Curry.
Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the league and will need to put that reputation to the test in this one. There aren't many if any occasions this year were Curry has been able to be subdued. So Holiday will definitely has his work cut out for him, but if he can wrangle him up, then a victory is definitely on the cards.

Josh Hart

For the Raptors I would say their X factor is Josh Hart, who I would imagine is given the task of guarding Devin Booker. It appears that Lebron can't be slowed so far this season, and I would imagine Durant would be tasked with that one. But if Hart can make it a tough night for Booker as mentioned it might give his team the edge it needs.

Hart has the size and physicality to make Bookers night hard and all those tools will be needed in order to do so.

Injury Report
Injured Players: Andrew Nembhard (Knee) - 12 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Kevin Durant (returning from Calf) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Rui Hachimura (returning from Illness/Ankle) - 5 NBA Games missed this season Vit Krejci (returning from Adductor/Injury Management) - 10 NBA Games missed this season	Injured Players: Christian Wood (Knee) - 18 NBA Games missed this season Vince Williams Jr. (Leg/Ankle) - 16 NBA Games missed this season

Prediction
Although I think it will be a close game my prediction is that the Washington Wizards take out the victory. At this stage their team is appearing to be more well rounded and really gelling. There are a few interesting matchups to monitor. BATTLE OF THE BIG MEN The big man battle will be one to watch. Keep an eye on Clint Capella having a big game, as the matches up against Kevin Looney. We know what Looney brings as one of the premier rebounding bigs, but he is giving some size up against Capella, who granted isn't quite the player he was a few years ago, but still can bring defence and an inside presence. Both their stats are very similar with Capella doing more not he defensive end. BATTLE OF THE FIFTH STARTER Although both these teams are top heavy with their stars, they obviously still need the 48 minutes filled and the fifth starter on each team is predicted to be Rui Hachimura and Aaron Wiggins who both started last game. Although they are both not playing full starters minutes, their roles are very important in playing their roles and picking up any slack.

Prediction

Although I think it will be a close game my prediction is that the Washington Wizards take out the victory.

At this stage their team is appearing to be more well rounded and really gelling.

There are a few interesting matchups to monitor.

BATTLE OF THE BIG MEN
The big man battle will be one to watch. Keep an eye on Clint Capella having a big game, as the matches up against Kevin Looney. We know what Looney brings as one of the premier rebounding bigs, but he is giving some size up against Capella, who granted isn't quite the player he was a few years ago, but still can bring defence and an inside presence. Both their stats are very similar with Capella doing more not he defensive end.

BATTLE OF THE FIFTH STARTER
Although both these teams are top heavy with their stars, they obviously still need the 48 minutes filled and the fifth starter on each team is predicted to be Rui Hachimura and Aaron Wiggins who both started last game. Although they are both not playing full starters minutes, their roles are very important in playing their roles and picking up any slack.

		Comments (2)
Joshua 12/04 06:35 am	Thanks for the write up. Bit of a worry when the other side as Durant and Curry but fingers crossed. Should be a tight one
Dylan 12/04 12:13 am	We still haven't locked down a playbook so I'm not all that confident going into this. Think we'll get smashed. Was a good read, thanks for the write up Toby

	SAC	98
	LAC	103

	CHA	110
	PHO	113

	LAL	97
	SA	121

	IND	110
	LAL	107

	GS	101
	CLE	107