4. Game 5 vs Washington Wizards (2018)
There’s something about DeMar DeRozan and Game 5s.
This go-around, the Raptors were playing the Washington Wizards in the first round. The Wizards had an established John Wall and an up-and-coming Bradley Beal. The Wizards took Games 3 and Game 4 at home and were looking to steal home court in Game 5.
The Wizards jumped on the Raptors with Wall controlling the tempo from the jump ball. The momentum from Game 4 clearly carried over to Air Canada Centre but was stalled in the second half thanks to a hot run by DeRozan.
DeRozan’s second-half scoring broke the Wizards, who began rushing their offense and committing turnovers. The win continued the Raptors’ streak of avoiding three consecutive losses. The game also gave Toronto a 3-2 lead heading back to Washington, where they sent the Wizards home.