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A20 SPORTS
Saturday 28 april 2018
Down at half, Raps eliminate Wiz 102-92 thanks to reserves

By HOWARD FENDRICH day night.
AP Sports Writer Asked whether he has a
WASHINGTON (AP) — For a preference for the upcom-
team that had been 0-23 ing opponent, DeRozan
when trailing at halftime in answered with one word:
road playoff games, the “No.”
Toronto Raptors sure went This marks the Raptors’ third
about ending that drought consecutive trip to the sec-
and advancing in the play- ond round of the playoffs;
offs in an usual way: The they last failed to get that
second unit, led by Fred far in 2015, when they were
VanVleet, created the swept in the opening round
comeback. by the Wizards.
Using a tremendous effort But this time, Washington
at both ends of the court bowed out earlier than it
from reserves, and 24 points was hoping when the sea-
from Kyle Lowry, the Rap- son began with grandiose
tors came back to beat the talk of a run to the confer-
Washington Wizards 102-92 ence finals. Instead, the
in Game 6 on Friday night Wizards were without Wall
and end their Eastern Con- for 41 games and wound
ference first-round series. up with the No. 8 seeding.
“Those guys have some ugly Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) shoots between Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat Wall had 23 points and
possessions, but most of the (13), from Poland, forward Markieff Morris, second from right, and forward Kelly Oubre Jr., right, eight assists in Game 6; Beal
time, they figure it out,” To- during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, April 27, 2018, scored 32. But none of that
ronto coach Dwane Casey in Washington. mattered to the fans who
said about his bench play- Associated Press started heading to the exits
ers, who overwhelmed forward and leave the past team and playing defense center Marcin Gortat in his early as the Wizards’ run of
Washington’s in points, 21- in the past.” and stuff, I can do those face that tied the game at eight home playoff wins in
6, and rebounds, 15-3, in With star guards Lowry and things in my sleep.” 78, and Miles’ 3 with about a row came to a close.
the second half. “We trust DeMar DeRozan, who had It allowed DeRozan to 8½ minutes remaining that “We got some looks,” said
them. We trusted them all a personal series-low 16 play only 33½ minutes to- gave Toronto its first lead of Wall, whose entire team
year.” points, resting to begin the tal, and Lowry 31½, com- more than a single point, had only 12 assists. “We just
Toronto fell behind by 12 fourth, VanVleet steered pared with more than 40 at 84-80.”I’m still looking for missed them.”
points in the first quarter the turnaround, and the each for Washington’s All- that manual that says you TIP-INS
and by 53-50 at the end of Raptors outscored Wash- Star guards, John Wall and can’t play that second unit. Raptors: After averaging
the second. ington 29-14 in the last Bradley Beal, who looked They’re too young. They’re 18.5 turnovers in Games 3
The Raptors’ first lead did quarter. Bothered by a bad tired by the end. too this. They’re too that,” and 4 at Washington, To-
not come until the third right shoulder, VanVleet “It was great to have our Casey said. “They closed it ronto had only seven in
quarter, and they were had played a total of three full bench back. Freddie out for us tonight.” Game 6.
back down by five points minutes in the series until Fri- back out there with the The home team had won Wizards: Were without start-
entering the final period. day, but he was just what guys,” DeRozan said. “Just each of the first five games, ing SF Otto Porter Jr., who
Never in franchise history Toronto needed in this a testament to what they but the Raptors were final- had a medical procedure
had the Raptors won after game, with five points, four did all year.” ly able to break that road Friday to prevent perma-
trailing at halftime in a post- assists and four rebounds. Pascal Siakam had 11 hex. The East’s No. 1 seed nent muscle damage be-
season away game, the “On the road, in a hostile points and eight rebounds will face LeBron James’ cause of compartment
team said, citing the Elias environment, I just wanted and used his length to Cleveland Cavaliers or the syndrome in his left leg. ...
Sports Bureau. to be another support guy hound Wall, while VanVleet Indiana Pacers next. The Kelly Oubre Jr. started in
“It’s a different year. It’s a out there, that can ease was a pest to Beal. Pacers forced a Game 7 place of Porter and hit his
different team,” VanVleet the starters a bit,” VanVleet Jakob Poeltl and C.J. Miles on Sunday by avoiding first 3-point attempt, before
said. “We’ve just got to said. each scored seven. It was elimination with a 121-87 missing all six other shots he
keep our composure going “You know, me running the VanVleet’s 3-pointer with victory over the Cavs on Fri- took.q
Fowles sparks U.S. women to 83-46

exhibition rout of China

By MARK MOSCHETTI, Asso- Breanna Stewart, who plays The U.S. had a 13-point ad- close the half, and Fowles
ciated Press in Seattle for the Storm, and vantage at 17-4 with 3:14 then scored the first eight
SEATTLE (AP) — It was the Diana Taurasi added 14 left in the first quarter. But of the third quarter to make
team’s first game in almost points apiece for the U.S. China stormed back, go- it 50-25.
two years. But Sylvia Fowles The Americans were play- ing on a 21-8 run spanning “With me and Sue (Bird)
already could feel things ing their first game since a the first and second quar- and Stewie, we’ve had
clicking. 101-72 rout of Spain at the ters. Ting Shao hit a 5-footer the opportunity to play
Fowles scored 14 of her Rio Olympics that earned from the right of the lane to with each other in previous
16 points during a 25-0 them a sixth consecutive tie at 25-25 with 4:16 to go years,” Fowles said. “It’s just United States’ Sylvia Fowles
run and the United States gold medal. It also was the before halftime. the chemistry of knowing (13) defends against China’s
rolled past China 83-46 on first game for the U.S. under Back-to-back baskets by where we’re going to be Yueru Li during the first half
Thursday night in a wom- head coach Dawn Staley, Fowles put the Americans and how to get me the ball of an exhibition basketball
en’s basketball exhibition who took over the position back on top. They tacked and things like that - and it game Thursday, April 26, 2018,
game. in 2017. on another 13 points to worked.”q in Seattle. Associated Press