2018 NBA Playoffs: First-round schedule, initial thoughts on each series

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6 of 9

Toronto Raptors (1) vs. Washington Wizards (8)

Season Series: 2-2

Game 1: Sat. April 14 – Washington at Toronto. 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2: Tue. April 17 – Washington at Toronto, 7 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3: Fri. April 20 – Toronto at Washington, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4: Sun. April 22 – Toronto at Washington, 6 p.m., TNT
*Game 5: Wed. April 25 – Washington at Toronto, TBD
*Game 6: Fri. April 27 – Toronto at Washington, TBD
*Game 7: Wed. April 25 – Washington at Toronto, TBD

This is an interesting matchup because the Washington Wizards aren’t your normal 8th seed. They have the talent to be a top 4 team in this conference, but could never stay healthy, nor get it together.

Question is, will that change in the playoffs? It’s hard to see why it will, but any team that has John Wall will be tough to count out.

Then there’s the Raptors, who kind of have the reputation of choking in the playoffs. Is this really a new era for Toronto? If so, they’re about to be tested off the bat.