TORONTO, (Reuters) – The Toronto Raptors spoiled the return of number one draft pick John Wall to the line-up by routing the Washington Wizards 127-108 on Wednesday.
Wall, whose ankle and knee injuries kept him out of the last two games, came off the bench to score 19 points and deliver eight assists, but the Wizards could not contain the hot-shooting Raptors.
Andrea Bargnani scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half when Toronto exploded for a 72-52 lead, and DeMar DeRozan scored a team-high 20 to help the Raptors (7-11) snap a two-game losing streak.
“Being able to run, with all the weapons and athletes we have and just being able to kick it ahead and let them make plays makes the game so much easier,” Toronto point guard Jerryd Bayless told reporters.
In a dominant effort, seven players scored in double-figures for the Raptors, who shot 58 percent and out-rebounded their opponent 52-30.
“I don’t even want to talk about it. That’s like a video game stat,” Wall said of Toronto’s season-high scoring output. “They can get any shot any time. They were getting dunks after dunks, layups after layups and foul after foul.”
Sonny Weems added 18 points to help keep Washington winless on the road this season at 0-9.
JaVale McGee recorded 21 points but three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas made just one of 10 shots and scored just seven points as the Wizards (5-12) lost their fourth straight.
Arenas entered the night averaging 25 points per contest over his last three games but he fell flat and Toronto avenged a 109-94 loss to Washington on Nov 16.
