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Orlando Magic Grades: Toronto Raptors 117, Orlando Magic 104

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 28, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors on February 28, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic were game to compete with the best team in the East into the fourth quarter. The Toronto Raptors turned it on from there and took the win.

For three and a half quarters, the Orlando Magic could not miss. And that was enough to keep the game tight and keep things close against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Orlando was shooting 53.8 percent from the floor through three quarters.

The fourth quarter is where teams separate themselves. And a nearly flawless offensive performance was not going to get the job done. Not with the defense the Magic were playing either.

Something was eventually going to give. Mario Hezonja was not going to hit every shot from everywhere forever. And when he missed his first shot, on a wild drive through the lane, things started to unravel.

The Orlando Magic could never get the rope back as the Toronto Raptors put the pressure on with their bench in the second half and finished the game with their starters.

Toronto was eventually able to pull away and put away a pesky Orlando team. The shooting percentage for the Magic slowly began to dip. The team unable to keep up the passing and the hot shooting that sustained the team through nearly three and a half quarters against the best team in the Eastern Conference.

With an emphatic block from Jakob Poeltl and an emphatic dunk from Pascal Siakam with about three minutes left in the fourth quarter, it all seemed done. The Raptors would take care of business 117-104 at the Amway Center on Wednesday. Things were as the standings said they should be.

Orlando made just 4 of 16 field goals in the fourth quarter, unable to keep pace with a Toronto team that was scoring at will and looking to close the game.

The Raptors shot 54.2 percent from the floor for the game. Even with a weaker field goal percentage in the fourth quarter, Toronto was able to ratchet up its defense and put pressure on Orlando. The Magic’s offense finally slowed down and they could not keep up.

The Magic had plenty of game to push and stick with the Raptors for a while. But they did not have the legs to get across the finish line.

B. <a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA. A. <a href=. F

C. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

Orlando Magic. RASHAD VAUGHN. C+. There are definitely a few things to like about <a href=. SG

C+. The Toronto Raptors have to be at least a little disappointed with their defensive effort through three quarters. The team can certainly do a lot more and should expect more from itself. They should not have had so much trouble with one of the worst teams in the league.<p>Toronto did eventually put Orlando away. By the time the starters came back in the fourth quarter, the Raptors bench unit had begun growing the lead and giving the team the energy it needed to pull away. It just needed <a href=. 43-17. 1st East. TORONTO RAPTORS

Next: Serge Ibaka returns to Orlando for the first time

The Orlando Magic start a home back to back Friday against the Detroit Pistons.