Anunoby scores 29, VanVleet has 28 as Raptors rout Wizards
Washington Wizards guard Delon Wright (55) drives to the net against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Credit: AP/Cole Burston
TORONTO — O.G. Anunoby scored 29 points, Fred VanVleet had 28 and the Toronto Raptors never trailed in a 114-104 win over Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Jakob Poeltl had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Ninth-place Toronto clinched the three-game season series with the Wizards and maintained a three-game lead over 11th-place Washington in the Eastern Conference standings. Both teams have seven games remaining.
Scottie Barnes scored 13 points in his return to the starting lineup after missing two games because of a sore left wrist as Toronto won for the ninth time in 10 home games.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 26 points and Corey Kispert had 19 for the Wizards, who have lost four straight road games.
Deni Avdija and Johnny Davis each scored 15 points for Washington and Daniel Gafford had 10.
The short-handed Wizards played without guard Bradley Beal (left knee) for the third straight game, while forward Kyle Kuzma (right ankle) sat for the fourth straight game. Washington was also without guard Monte Morris (left groin).
Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the net against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl, center, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Credit: AP/Cole Burston
Anunoby almost single-handedly outscored the Wizards with a career-high 18 points in the first quarter as Toronto led 37-21 after one. Anunoby shot 7 for 10 in the first, making 4 of 6 from long range.
Held scoreless in the opening quarter, Siakam scored 11 points in the second to give the Raptors a 63-46 halftime lead.
Porzingis scored 12 points in the third as Washington outscored Toronto 38-24. The Wizards closed to within a point, 80-79, on a 3 by Davis with 2:16 left in the quarter, but were unable to take the lead. Toronto took an 87-84 lead to the fourth.
Anunoby scored five points as the Raptors opened the fourth with a 13-3 run to restore their double-digit lead.
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Goodwin (7) controls the ball as he drives to the net against Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Sunday, March 26, 2023. Credit: AP/Cole Burston
TIP-INS
Wizards: Shot 1 for 8 from 3-point range in the first quarter, but went 15 for 28 over the final three quarters. Washington shot 8 for 12 from long range in the third. … Former Raptor Delon Wright shot 2 for 9 and scored five points. Wright had eight assists and seven rebounds.
Raptors: F Precious Achiuwa also returned after missing two games because of a sore right hamstring. … G Gary Trent Jr. (right elbow) sat for the third straight game. … G Will Barton left in the first quarter because of a sprained left ankle and did not return.
MAGIC TOUCH
Toronto has won or tied the past 12 season series with Washington. The Raptors lost three of four to the Wizards in 2007-08.
UP NEXT
Wizards: Host Boston on Tuesday.
Raptors: Host Miami on Tuesday.
