Raptors fall to Wizards in playoff opener

TORONTO, April 18 (Xinhua) - Toronto Raptors fell to Washington Wizards 93-86 Air Canada Center on Saturday afternoon in game one of a best four-out-of-seven NBA playoff series.

The loss was the second consecutive year that Toronto opened their playoffs with a loss. They dropped the first game against Brooklyn Nets before losing the series in seven games.

Overall in history, Raptors fell to 1-7 in games to open a playoff series. Their lone game one victory occurred in the second round of the 2001 post-season when Toronto beat Philadelphia in the series opener.

In Saturday's loss, Toronto struggled on the glass and was out-rebounded 61-48 by Washington. 19 of the 61 rebounds were on the offensive end, resulting in 20 second chance points.

"They had 20 second chance points, that's the game," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey following the game. "We have to get in and clean up the boards. Until we make it a priority, it's going to be hard for us (to win a game)."

Toronto also struggled with their shooting, going 35-for-92 (38%) from the field and 6-29 from beyond the arc.

Casey is not worried about this aspect of his team's game as he has full confidence in his players performing to their abilities in the rest of the series.

"Our shooters were 15 for 57. We had great looks and we're not going to miss that many shots again," said Casey. "There's still a lot of basketball to be played so it's not over, it's not gloom and doom."

The series continues on Tuesday evening in Toronto before it moves to Washington D.C. for games three and four. Enditem