The set-up: The Washington Wizards announced on Tuesday that Wall (19.4 & 9.3 APG) would miss up to two months following knee surgery and then went out and handed Thunder their first loss in nine games with a 102-96 triumph, limiting Russell Westbrook to 13 points on 5-of-18 shooting (note: he had scored 46 in a win over Washington at OKC just five days earlier). "Everybody contributed to the win tonight," All-Star guard Bradley Beal told reporters after scoring 21 points and matching a career high with nine assists. "All 15 guys came in and did their job and did what they're supposed to do. So it's a credit to everybody." The 28-22 Wizards will host the 34-15 Toronto Raptors in the finale of a two-game homestand, tonight. The Raptors just beat Minnesota 109-104 at home Tuesday night and after this contest will return to Air Canada Centre to play four in a row where they are 19-4.

Toronto: The Raptors have closed within 1 1/2 games of the Celtics for the East's No. 1 seed and have also put some distance between themselves and the third-seeded Cavs (4 1/2 games). Toronto's All-Star backcourt of DeMar DeRozan (24.4-4.1-5.2) and Kyle Lowry (16.4-6.0-6.6) combined for 38 points and 17 assists in the win over the T-wolves. That duo is complemented by PF Ibaka (13.0 & 6.1) and center Valanciunas (11.8 & 8.4), in the frontcourt. Valanciunas added 18 & 11 against Minnesota, giving him four straight double-doubles while making 33-of-51 shots (64.7%). Toronto's 111.1 PPG ranks third behind only the Warriors and Rockets.

Washington: Otto Porter Jr. (13.8 & 6.2) led the way with 25 points in the win over Oklahoma City and Tomas Satoransky (4.9 & 2.7 APG) made his second straight start in place of Wall a memorable one by helping to lock up Westbrook on the defensive end. "Tomas played well," coach Scott Brooks told the media. "Tomas really battled, and he was trying to stay in front of one of the fastest guards in the league." Satoransky had six assists, five rebounds, two steals and a block, although he did miss all four of his shot attempts. With Wall out, the Wizards will need frontcourt players like Oubre (12.1 & 4.8), Morris (10.6 & 5.6), Scott (9.1 & 3.2) and Gortat (8.9 & 8.0) to pick up some of the scoring slack.

The pick: The Raptors offense has had some stumbles of late but a soft part of the schedule coming up should help them, as this is only one of two road games in stretch of ten games that began after the 108-93 win at Atlanta on Jan. 24. Washington averages 107.0 PPG (9th), so both teams can score. However, as was shown in the first game without Wall, the Wizards kept Westbrook in check and held the Thunder to just 96 points. That kind of pace may be a key to beating the Raptors here. Note that these two teams have met twice already (both time in Toronto), with each winning once. However, look at the final scores, 107-96 and 100-91. Make the Under a 10* play!