Toronto Raptors Team Report - March 4

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors failed to put two straight wins together on Wednesday, as they were dealt an 84-70 setback at the hands of the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center.

Donyell Marshall posted 22 points and 10 assists to lead the Raptors in both categories, while Vince Carter added 16 points, as Toronto lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

It took the Raptors nearly four minutes to record their first points of the fourth quarter, leaving them trailing 70-57 and digging a hole they wouldn’t be able to climb out of.

Washington eventually built its advantage up to 17 points, matching its largest lead of the game, on a free throw by Kwame Brown with 4:18 to play, and the Raptors soon made wholesale changes on the floor, indicating a surrender.

The Raptors, who were outrebounded 61-38, held their opponents under 100 points for the 21st consecutive games, one shy of the franchise record.

The loss dropped Toronto into seventh-place, a half-game back of the New York Knicks, in the race for the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Raptors will host the Knicks on Friday.

Toronto, which has lost six straight and eight of its last nine at home, has split its two matchups with the Knicks this season and has won eight of the last 10 matchups. The Raps have also won seven of their last nine north of the border in this series.