Three Things to Watch for in Washington Wizards vs. Raptors

The Washington Wizards are coming off a big win over the Milwaukee Bucks in their season opener. Multiple players stepped up to help Washington start the season 1-0, putting the team above .500 for the first time since November 2022. 

AJ Dybantsa is set to miss his second consecutive game, but can the Wizards carry that momentum into their matchup against the Toronto Raptors? Friday’s game gives Washington an opportunity to prove its season-opening win was no fluke.

1) Feed Anthony Davis the basketball

Wizards forward Anthony Davis had one of the most impressive debuts in franchise history. He finished with 34 points in 34 minutes, tying Antawn Jamison for the most points scored by a player in his Washington debut. He also recorded 12 rebounds, two blocks and one steal. I mean, what more could you ask for?

When Davis is healthy, he is arguably one of the best players in the NBA. It has been a long time since Washington has had a player who can dominate a game the way Davis did against Milwaukee. As the famous saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The Wizards need to continue getting him involved offensively, whether through post-ups, pick-and-rolls or opportunities around the basket.

If Davis continues to perform at this level, Washington could have a special player to build around. The key is making sure he gets enough touches to remain a focal point of the offense against Toronto.

2) The Wizards need to continue drawing fouls

Washington got to the free-throw line 41 times against Milwaukee, converting 83% of its attempts. In comparison, the Bucks attempted just 23 free throws. That difference played an important role in the Wizards' season-opening victory.

The players responsible for drawing most of those fouls were Davis and guard Trae Young. Davis converted 11 of his 14 free throws, while Young made 12 of 16 attempts.

Getting to the free-throw line does more than add points to the scoreboard. It can slow the pace of the game, put opposing players in foul trouble, and allow an offense to generate points even when shots aren't falling.

The Wizards should look to replicate that approach against Toronto. If Davis and Young continue putting pressure on the defense and drawing fouls, Washington will give itself another opportunity to control the game offensively.

3) Give Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington more opportunities

Forward Bilal Coulibaly stepped into the starting lineup in place of the injured AJ Dybantsa, and he did not disappoint. He finished with 11 points, two blocks, and four steals, making an impact on both ends of the floor.

Obviously, Coulibaly isn't expected to replace Dybantsa's production entirely. However, his performance against Milwaukee showed why he deserves meaningful minutes. His defensive instincts, athleticism and ability to create turnovers can help Washington in ways that go beyond scoring.

The same can be said for third-year guard Bub Carrington. In just 19 minutes, Carrington scored 10 points, including two huge threes, while adding four assists and two steals. He provided a spark off the bench and demonstrated his ability to contribute as a scorer and playmaker.

I'm not saying these players are at the same level as Davis or Young, but they bring valuable talent that Washington cannot afford to waste. Giving Coulibaly and Carrington consistent opportunities could help the Wizards develop their young players while taking some of the pressure off their veteran stars.

If Washington can get similar contributions from its supporting cast against Toronto, it will make the team more difficult to defend and give itself another chance to come away with a victory.