Wizards-Raptors Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO

(AP) -- The last time the Washington Wizards faced the Toronto Raptors on the road, John Wall and Bradley Beal dominated to give them a 2-0 series lead in the opening round of the playoffs.

An injury will keep Beal from playing Wednesday night while Wall looks to continue his strong stretch on the road and lead depleted Washington to another win at Toronto.

The Wizards (14-15) swept the Raptors (19-13) in the playoffs last season, averaging 110.3 points. They took both matchups in Toronto with Beal delivering 28 points on 12-of-21 shooting in a 117-106 win April 21.

Wall chipped in with 26 points and 17 assists, connecting on half of his 16 shots from the field.

Beal, who averaged 20.8 points in that series, will miss a 10th straight game with a stress reaction in his right leg.

Washington is also without reserve forwards Nene and Drew Gooden (both calf strains) and guard Gary Neal (quadriceps).

Wall had 23 points with 11 assists in Washington's 108-91 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, snapping a season-best four-game win streak. Otto Porter added 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench in his second game since missing three with a left thigh bruise.

"We're short-handed," said Porter, who has started all but the last two games. "And I'm just trying to help the guys out any way I can."

Wall is averaging 23.0 points and 11.1 assists over the last seven road games. He had 18 and five before backup guard Cory Joseph knocked down a 3 at the buzzer to give the Raptors an 84-82 win at Washington to open the season series Nov. 28.

Toronto has won eight of nine and four straight regular-season matchups. The Raptors head into this three-game homestand winning five of six there while holding opponents to 91.5 points per game - 5.1 lower than their season mark.

They weren't as sound defensively at Chicago on Monday, falling 104-97 for their fourth loss in seven games overall.

Kyle Lowry had one of his best games of the month, scoring 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting and adding nine assists and six rebounds. He had 27 points at Washington last month after averaging just 12.3 points on 31.6 percent shooting - 5 for 23 from 3-point range - in last season's playoff series. He totaled 13 points in the two home games.

DeMar DeRozan was much better with 20.3 points per game in the playoffs against the Wizards. He scored 20 in the nation's capital Nov. 28.

Jonas Valanciunas missed that matchup with a broken left hand, which sidelined him for 17 games. The center returned Monday with nine points, four rebounds and two blocks.

"He's getting his sea legs back, getting the rust off," coach Dwane Casey said. "He's going to be OK. Jonas is the least of our worries, getting him back in."