Prediction: Toronto Raptors VS Washington Wizards 2025-10-12
Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors Preseason Showdown: A Tale of Two (Un)Ready Teams
The Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors are set to clash in their first 2025-26 NBA preseason meeting—a game that’s less about bragging rights and more about answering the existential question: Can a team with the roster of a fantasy league draft pick (Wizards) hang with a squad that’s basically the Toronto Raptors’ Netflix true crime doc about “How to Lose a Playoff Race” (Raptors)? Let’s break it down with the precision of a stathead and the humor of a guy who once bet on a horse named “Rainbow Bright.”
Parsing the Odds: Why the Raptors Are the Smart Money
The betting lines are as clear as a ref’s whistle: Toronto is the favorite, with decimal odds hovering around 1.55-1.62 (implying a 61-64% chance to win) across bookmakers, while Washington sits at 2.3-3.65 (a 27-43% chance). The spread is a modest -3.5 for Toronto, and the total is pegged at 218.5-219.5 points.
Here’s why the numbers lean Raptors:
- Preseason Performance: Toronto is 2-1 in exhibition play, with wins over the Kings and Celtics (though they lost to the Nuggets). The Wizards? This is their first preseason game—ever. They’re the NBA’s version of a college team showing up to the NFL, asking, “Where’s the training wheels?”
- Depth vs. Youth: The Raptors have Brandon Ingram (acquired midseason), Scottie Barnes (injured but on the shelf), and a core that’s been through the playoff wringer (if “wringer” means “missing the playoffs three years straight”). The Wizards? They’re betting on Alex Sarr (a 20-year-old Aussie with a mullet waiting to happen), Bub Carrington (a name that sounds like a Disney character), and CJ McCollum (a seasoned vet who’s suddenly Washington’s emotional leader).
News.digest(): Injuries, Sibling Rivalries, and the Curse of the “Almost Good”
- Toronto’s Pain Points: Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are out, which is like telling a chef they can’t use salt. But Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett have looked solid, and Collin Murray-Boyles (the 9th pick) is here to “two-way” his way into relevance. Oh, and Olivier Sarr, the younger brother of Wizards’ forward Alex Sarr, is on Toronto. Expect a family reunion that’s more The Sopranos than The Brady Bunch.
- Washington’s Wild Card: The Wizards are a patchwork quilt of hope. They acquired CJ McCollum in a three-team deal (because nothing says “rebuild” like trading assets for a guy who’ll miss 10 games a year with plantar fasciitis). Alex Sarr is back from a minor leg injury, but let’s be real: He’s still figuring out how to not trip over his own shoelaces. And don’t get me started on Khris Middleton—a future Hall of Famer who’s suddenly Washington’s “anchor” after a summer of smoothie endorsements.
The Humor: Because Basketball Needs More Laughs
Let’s face it: This game is a comedy of errors waiting to happen.
- The Sarr Saga: Imagine Alex Sarr on the Wizards, thinking, “I’m finally in the NBA!” Meanwhile, Olivier Sarr on Toronto is like, “Bro, I’m on a 10-day contract. I’m here to shoot free throws and pretend I belong.” Their matchup is the NBA’s answer to the Hatfields and McCoys… if the Hatfields had a better Gatorade deal.
- Washington’s Offense: With a roster that’s 80% “young talent” and 20% “mystery meat,” the Wizards’ offense is like a group of interns trying to assemble IKEA furniture. They’ll probably end up with a coffee table that looks like a modern art masterpiece.
- Toronto’s Defense: The Raptors’ defense is so porous, they’d let a breeze score a layup. But hey, at least they’re consistent!
Prediction: Raptors Win, But Not Without Drama
While the Wizards’ youth and star power (CJ McCollum, we’re looking at you) could make this a competitive game, Toronto’s depth, preseason momentum, and ability to not completely embarrass themselves make them the safer bet. The Raptors’ 2-1 exhibition record and healthier roster give them a 60-65% chance, per the odds, and I’d trust those numbers over Washington’s “we’re figuring this out as we go” approach.
Final Score Prediction: Toronto 112, Washington 106
Why? Because the Wizards will shoot 35% from deep and turn the ball over 18 times, while the Raptors will win the battle of the Sarr brothers (Olivier gets 2 points, 1 rebound, and 5 awkward family texts). Take Toronto -3.5 and fade Washington’s “potential.”
Now go stream it on Fubo, and for the love of all that is holy, check the lineups. This is the NBA, not a pickup game at the YMCA.
Created: Oct. 12, 2025, 8:20 p.m. GMT