The Washington Wizards (2-6, 5th Southeast) will be playing their second game in as many days on Monday when paying a visit to the Toronto Raptors (4-5, 4th Atlantic) after playing on the road Sunday afternoon against the Brooklyn Nets. Washington was defeated by the Charlotte Hornets 124-117 on Friday, while Toronto lost to the Boston Celtics 117-94 on Saturday night. Washington will play without PG Delon Wright, while Toronto will play without C Christian Koloko and G Gary Trent Jr is questionable.

Washington’s defense cannot go anywhere but up

The Washington Wizards have the worst defense in the NBA allowing an average of 126.5 points per game and a field goal shooting percentage of 50.8% which are both last in the NBA. Washington is allowing a three-point shooting percentage of 37.1%, which is 22nd. The leading scorer for Washington is Kyle Kuzma with an average at 24.0 points per game while Jordan Poole is the second leading scorer with an average of 17.0 points per game. Tyus Jones is the dish leader with an average of 5.2 assists per contest.

Washington’s offense, despite playing well, cannot make up for its poor defense. The Wizards are scoring an average of 119.9 points per game which is 5th in the NBA and have the fifth best field goal shooting percentage at 48.6%, while 14th in 3-point shooting at 36.3%. Washington is averaging 9.1 offensive and 29.5 defensive rebounds per game for an average of 38.6 boards per contest led by Daniel Gafford with an average of 7.0 rebounds per game. With Delon Wright (1.6 spg) out injured the leader in steals is Jordan Poole with an average of 1.3 per game. Gafford is averaging a team best 2.8 blocked shots per game.

Toronto is struggling to score but playing tough on defense

The Toronto Raptors are scoring an average of only 107.9 points per game which is 27th in the NBA. Toronto has a field goal shooting percentage of 45.3% and a three-point shooting percentage of 34.2% which are 24th and 22nd respectively. Scottie Barnes is leading Toronto in scoring with an average of 20.2 points per game, while Pascal Siakam is second with an average of 17.3 points per game. Four other players are averaging double figures in scoring. Dennis Schroder is the leader in assists with an average of 7.9 dishes per contest.

Toronto’s defense is holding its own, allowing an average of 109.4 points per game which is 8th best. Toronto is holding opponents to a field goal shooting percentage of 45.3% which is 10th and a three-point shooting percentage of 32.7% which is fifth.  Toronto is averaging 11.3 offensive and 34.6 defensive rebounds per game for a total of 45.9 boards per contest led by Barnes with an average of 9.8 per game. Barnes is the leader in steals with an average at 1.4 per contests and is also the swat leader with an average of 2.0 blocked shots per game.