Smooth Performance of the Night: John Wall claims The North as his own
On the incredibly short list of players who can capably guard John Wall, the name Greivis Vasquez is expectedly absent.
So are the names of every other Toronto Raptors player, as not a single one of them was able to slow Wall on Tuesday as he led the Washington Wizards to an emphatic 117-106 victory. The Wizards took both games in Toronto and they'll head back to D.C. with a 2-0 lead, making it difficult to envision anyone but Wall and the Wizards taking on the Atlanta Hawks in the second round.
If you're guarding John Wall it's too late
— Myles Brown (@mdotbrown) April 22, 2015
The Raptors aren't exactly a stout defensive team, and with Kyle Lowry at less than 100 percent and gambling his way into foul trouble - and out of position - left and right, Toronto has few answers for Wall.
That's not to take anything away from Wall's singularly spectacular performance. He scored 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting, got to the free-throw line at will, carved into the defense and used the pressure he was creating at the point of attack to dish 17 assists, setting a franchise playoff record in the process.
Just about everyone benefited from Wall's playmaking Tuesday, finally making the shots they didn't when given the same opportunities in Game 1 on Saturday.
| Player | Pts from Wall Assists |
|---|---|
| Beal | 6 |
| Gortat | 10 |
| Pierce | 6 |
| Nene | 4 |
| Seraphin | 4 |
| Porter Jr. | 2 |
| Sessions | 3 |
| Gooden | 3 |
With Wall scoring 26 points and creating 38 more with assists - not including free throws he created - he had a hand in at least 32.5 percent of the Wizards' points.
He also had a hand in 100 percent of the misery of the Raptors and their fans, who have to be rattled that Wall led his army in an easy overthrowing of The North, claiming it as property of The Capital.