Washington Wizards Three-Point Shots Not Falling as They Trail at Halftime Against Toronto Raptors
The Washington Wizards are only shooting 27 percent in the first half from the three-point arc.
Meanwhile the Toronto Raptors are shooting 38 percent making three more than the Wizards.
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It is a big reason for the nine point deficit Washington is facing at halftime down 59-50.
Fortunately for Washington the free throw disparity is keeping them in the game.
It took until just over three minutes left in the second quarter before the Raptors attempted their first free throw.
Meanwhile, the Wizards had already made 7-10 from the line.
Washington's leading scorer is forward Deni Avdija with 12 shooting 5-8 from the field.
Improving interior defense is a must in the second half and Wizards center Daniel Gafford is going to need to be the focal point.
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Gafford has been a menace blocking shots all season and being the only real defensive contributor down low for Washington.
Tonight though, he doesn't have any blocked shots.
Another player struggling for the Wizards is forward Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma was a game time decision and that may be part of the issue these last few nights.
Even with the four days off over the the weekend the injury he sustained in the game against the Golden State Warriors is still clearly bothering Kuzma.
Toronto is taking advantage of the Washington turnovers tonight scoring 18 off of only nine turnovers.
Toronto's leading scorer is forward OG Anunoby with 19 points off 8-13 from the field.
It may look like a good thing the Raptors have only shot four free throws but part of that is Washington have zero inside presence and Toronto getting easy layups and dunks down low with no contest at all.
The Wizards will need to rotate to shooters on the outside better, protect the paint, and be much more efficient on the offensive end if they plan on coming back tonight.
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