It was impossible for the Toronto Raptors to earn much redemption from a regular-season victory over the team who swept them from last year's playoffs. Yet Wednesday's dramatic 94-91 win over the Washington Wizards provided something more: a return to the starting five that began the season for Toronto.
Jonas Valanciunas made his first appearance in Toronto's starting lineup since suffering a broken bone in his left hand five weeks ago. It came two nights after he eased back into action with nine points over 21 minutes off the bench in Chicago. This time the seven-foot centre put up eight points and nine rebounds over 22 minutes – still a ways from his old workload.
DeMar DeRozan once again lead the Raptors with 34 points – albeit on 9-of-24 from the field, so he leaned on his 15-of-15 free throw shooting. Terrence Ross added to a recent string of positive outings with 14 points and six boards. On a night when the Raptors shot a shabby 34 per cent, they had to lean on defence and getting to the line.
Valanciunas was the final piece to rejoin the Raptors starting five after DeMarre Carroll came back Saturday following a nine-game absence with a knee injury. It was the first time Toronto has had its starting five intact since Nov. 20, a lineup which has now gone 8-4.
"We're still trying to get JV back into game speed, and DC, so every game is going to be a process," said DeRozan. "I think it's going to continue to get better. It feels good to just have everyone be healthy again."
Bismack Biyombo, who had been starting in place of Valanciunas, didn't play like someone surrendering the job. He provided 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots over 26 minutes. It was his seventh 10-plus rebounding performance in the last eight games. Biyombo appeared to be denied another monster block late when he was called for goaltending, to the raucous distaste of fans at Air Canada Centre.
He and Valanciunas had to match up on physical Wizards big man Marcin Gortat, who was fresh off honours as Eastern Conference player of the week.
Valanciunas had been averaging 12.7 points and 9.3 rebounds on 55.6 per cent shooting in 27.5 minutes per game before the injury. While the Raptors are pleased to have one of their best free throw shooters back on the floor, they aren't rushing Valanciunas back to those hefty minutes yet.
"[The challenges are] his timing and the contact," said Casey. "Everyone is trying to rip the ball from that hand."
Carroll put up seven points and seven rebounds 26 minutes, as the team is still restricting his minutes. He was averaging 12.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 18 games before being sidelined.
The Washington team visiting Toronto for the first time since last year's playoffs looked far different from the brash one that swept them in April. John Wall began the year slowly, while Bradley Beal, Alan Anderson and Nene have all been out with injuries. The most glaring difference was the loss of the biggest villain of that series – Paul Pierce – who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
After making it to the sixth game of the Eastern Conference Finals last season, this year's Wizards sit a shocking 11th in the conference at 14-16.
The Raptors held a one-point lead after the first quarter Wednesday and stretched it to 11 by half-time. The Wizards pressed within one in the final 40 seconds of play, then sat within three in the dying seconds, but Wall failed to sink several tying shot attempts.
Toronto's bench, who had been badly outscored by that of the Chicago Bulls 51-27 earlier this week, this time outscored Washington's 30-19. Kyle Lowry, coming off a 28-point night on Monday, had 11.
Wall had 19 for Washington while Otto Porter (who has often troubled the Raptors) scored 20.
"It's very rare that you shoot 34 per cent and put yourself in a position to win – also 18 turnovers," said Casey. "That was probably as bad offensively that we've played all year. We'll take it. We have to learn from it, get better from it on the offensive end."
The Raptors are now 18-3 in games when they have held opponents to under 100 points.
"The shots aren't always going to fall, but having defence to lean back on and help us get through games," said Ross. "That's what we need to be consistent with."
A win in the opening game of a three-game home stand improved Toronto's record to 20-13. The Charlotte Hornets visit Toronto New Years night, followed by the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, before the Raptors head out on the road for five games.