NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking Points from the Toronto Raptors' Thrilling Win Over the Washington Wizards

#2 Wizards learn to play without Wall; Raptors 'need to close out games better

Serge Ibaka's dagger three-pointer sealed the deal for the Raptors.

Serge Ibaka faked a pass and sank a clutch shot from deep to get the Raptors ahead by a point with less than 15 seconds left on the clock. In retrospect, this is not how it was supposed to end.

"It shouldn't come down to the last possession," Kawhi Leonard said. "We need to close out games better."

The Raptors were leading by 19 at the end of the first period, which they extended 23 in the second quarter.

They still held a 17-point cushion midway through the third period, but as we all know Washington forced not one but two overtimes from that point on.

To make matters worse, Toronto was just 2-of-9 from the field in the second OT, but thankfully the Wizards could not draw much out of that dry stint.

"We got lucky to get out of here with a win," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said.

HOW HUNGRY ARE YOU, @sergeibaka?! pic.twitter.com/IqwLe0tgUp

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 13, 2019

On the other hand, the Wizards did not look like they missed their All-star point guard at all, who had just undergone a season-ending left heel surgery.

Even before giving the East leaders a run for their money in this one, they had just beaten Philly and Bucks in quick succession.

Led by Beal's magnificent playmaking abilities without his backcourt mate, the team does not look like an ailing squad rather more of a unit than they were before.