ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on December 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 Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 116, Toronto Raptors 87
The Orlando Magic put on a blitz in the second quarter, finding a new energy to rout the Toronto Raptors on the Amway Center floor.
Final
Toronto Raptors
87 
Orlando Magic
116 Nikola Vucevic had everyone’s eyes on him. The Toronto Raptors were keenly aware of what he was trying to do and trying to find a way to stop him. The shot clock was winding down and the Orlando Magic needed their safety valve.
Evan Fournier dumped the ball into Nikola Vucevic on the block and the defense began to collapse around him. The strongside defender stayed with Evan Fournier, but the weakside defender was cheating off the opposite corner. This was the most difficult pass to make, but the one Vucevic would have to make or drive straight into a double team and a much more difficult shot.
Vucevic turned over his shoulder and saw the defense shifting and adjusting. He quickly whipped the ball on a dime to Jonathan Isaac in the corner. The second-year player calmly drained the 3-pointer.
Vucevic put together a masterful second quarter, scoring 12 points. But it was his passing that should have everyone taking notice. That and his complete dominance on the glass and against anyone the Raptors threw at him.
As if to put emphasis on this, on one third-quarter possession, Vucevic grabbed a rebound with one hand as he warded off a guard assigned to box him out and then turned, took one dribble and dunked it with one hand.
Statement made.
The same statement made by the Magic’s defense, that stymied and quieted the Raptors offense all night long. They scrambled to shooters and made everyone think twice before firing. That moment of indecision knocked Toronto out of rhythm.
The team with the best record in the NBA had no answers, shooting just 29.5 percent from the floor. Orlando used a 35-15 third quarter to walk all over Toronto 116-87 at Amway Center on Friday night.
This was not a case of everything Orlando doing going right. They had plenty of issues including some cool shooting (47.3 percent) and turnovers — 15 in total. The Magic tried out some new rotations that included reinserting Wesley Iwundu into the lineup and Jonathon Simmons playing point guard with the second unit.
And the Raptors gave the Magic a small break with Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas missing the game. But Orlando’s defensive effort was more than enough. The Magic scrambled and communicated well after some struggles in the first quarter. And they never looked out.
Serge Ibaka to challenging shots at the rim, Nikola Vucevic was at his absolute peak. He never settled for mid-range jumpers by popping and was constantly around the basket. 
Vucevic’s activity was extremely high throughout the game. He literally gobbled up every rebound around him and a few that were not around him. He was fending off guards and anyone in his way to get to them. And then throwing the ball back in with force and finesse.
The stat line really says it all. He scored 30 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out eight assists. Every decision he made on both offense and defense simply worked. And he dominated the game in a way only an All-Star can.
" > NIKOLA VUCEVIC
C, Orlando MagicA+
What didn’t Nikola Vucevic do in this game? That is a serious question because he had his fingerprints on everything. From fighting for low post position against former teammate Serge Ibaka to challenging shots at the rim, Nikola Vucevic was at his absolute peak. He never settled for mid-range jumpers by popping and was constantly around the basket.
Vucevic’s activity was extremely high throughout the game. He literally gobbled up every rebound around him and a few that were not around him. He was fending off guards and anyone in his way to get to them. And then throwing the ball back in with force and finesse.
The stat line really says it all. He scored 30 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out eight assists. Every decision he made on both offense and defense simply worked. And he dominated the game in a way only an All-Star can.
Jonathon Simmons got the somewhat unusual call to a new position in Friday’s game. Looking to mix things up, coach Steve Clifford opted to move Jonathon Simmons to the point guard position with the second unit. Simmons insisted not a lot changed with him. He is a basketball player. And his skills as a pick and roll ballhandler and driver are virtually the same. But something was different. 
Simmons was solid defensively going up against the Toronto Raptors somewhat depleted point guard group. But it was his willingness to attack and distribute that changed the game for him. Simmons had six assists in the game against just two turnovers. He was active looking to get into the paint and move the basketball.
When he does that he is very good. And that was a big reason the bench was so effective especially in the first half as Orlando took control. His 1-for-11 shooting was a cause for some concern. But most of those shots were floaters getting into the paint or rhythm 3-pointers. Certainly, his shot selection could still use some thought, but it was a good first effort at the point.
" > JONATHON SIMMONS
G, Orlando MagicB
Jonathon Simmons got the somewhat unusual call to a new position in Friday’s game. Looking to mix things up, coach Steve Clifford opted to move Jonathon Simmons to the point guard position with the second unit. Simmons insisted not a lot changed with him. He is a basketball player. And his skills as a pick and roll ballhandler and driver are virtually the same. But something was different.
Simmons was solid defensively going up against the Toronto Raptors somewhat depleted point guard group. But it was his willingness to attack and distribute that changed the game for him. Simmons had six assists in the game against just two turnovers. He was active looking to get into the paint and move the basketball.
When he does that he is very good. And that was a big reason the bench was so effective especially in the first half as Orlando took control. His 1-for-11 shooting was a cause for some concern. But most of those shots were floaters getting into the paint or rhythm 3-pointers. Certainly, his shot selection could still use some thought, but it was a good first effort at the point.
Wesley Iwundu was back in there for meaningful playing time. It was like he never left as Simmons immediately attacked the basket and scored and looked comfortable and confident shooting at every turn. 
Iwundu finished with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting. He led the bench with a +16 — likely a product of being the first man off the bench and playing with the starters. But his impact and energy were real positive impactors on the floor. He shot when he was open and looked to attack. Staying within himself is something Iwundu has always done.
But it was his defensive versatility that really put him over the top and made this work. He switched seamlessly between wing players, even checking Kawhi Leonard on several occasions. He did so admirably and was great defensively throughout the game. Iwundu is begging for minutes with how he has played this season. Once again he took advantage.
" > WESLEY IWUNDU
G/F, Orlando MagicA
Jonathon Simmons’ move to point guard brought with it another change to the rotation as Wesley Iwundu was back in there for meaningful playing time. It was like he never left as Simmons immediately attacked the basket and scored and looked comfortable and confident shooting at every turn.
Iwundu finished with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting. He led the bench with a +16 — likely a product of being the first man off the bench and playing with the starters. But his impact and energy were real positive impactors on the floor. He shot when he was open and looked to attack. Staying within himself is something Iwundu has always done.
But it was his defensive versatility that really put him over the top and made this work. He switched seamlessly between wing players, even checking Kawhi Leonard on several occasions. He did so admirably and was great defensively throughout the game. Iwundu is begging for minutes with how he has played this season. Once again he took advantage.
Aaron Gordon and his stat line. he scored just nine points and took only six shots, making three. It is hardly a stat line to write home about. And certainly, the Magic would love to see Aaron Gordon do more. He even smirked when he saw that he had four turnovers (two came on questionable offensive foul calls). 
But that does not tell the whole story with Gordon. He has changed a lot of his approach to the game and is impacting it in a lot of different ways. Scoring is the least of his concerns it seems. And that is OK, at least when the rest of the team plays like this.
Aaron Gordon was physical and strong on the glass with nine rebounds — really saying something with Nikola Vucevic gobbling up so many. He also added four assists, doing a good job distributing the ball. But more importantly, he helped keep Kawhi Leonard in check after Leonard got off to a fast start. Leonard finished with 21 points, but on 7-for-19 shooting. Gordon’s work had a lot to do with that as he contested shots and largely kept Leonard in front of him. There was plenty of help. But for a guy who was not getting a lot of shots, he knew it was not his night and moved the ball effectively.
" > AARON GORDON
F, Orlando MagicB
If you look at the box score, you might not be that impressed with Aaron Gordon and his stat line. he scored just nine points and took only six shots, making three. It is hardly a stat line to write home about. And certainly, the Magic would love to see Aaron Gordon do more. He even smirked when he saw that he had four turnovers (two came on questionable offensive foul calls).
But that does not tell the whole story with Gordon. He has changed a lot of his approach to the game and is impacting it in a lot of different ways. Scoring is the least of his concerns it seems. And that is OK, at least when the rest of the team plays like this.
Aaron Gordon was physical and strong on the glass with nine rebounds — really saying something with Nikola Vucevic gobbling up so many. He also added four assists, doing a good job distributing the ball. But more importantly, he helped keep Kawhi Leonard in check after Leonard got off to a fast start. Leonard finished with 21 points, but on 7-for-19 shooting. Gordon’s work had a lot to do with that as he contested shots and largely kept Leonard in front of him. There was plenty of help. But for a guy who was not getting a lot of shots, he knew it was not his night and moved the ball effectively.
TORONTO RAPTORS
26-11, 2nd EastD
Sometimes it is not your night. But the Toronto Raptors are a team that should have supreme confidence in themselves and the believe they will always come out on top. Even if they are down a few players. And that is especially against a team like the Orlando Magic that was struggling. With the way the Raptors started it certainly looked like that.
Toronto missed some easy shots throughout the game. But the team was not really getting a ton of them. This game was more than Kyle Lowry’s absence. Toronto shot just 29.5 percent and was outscored 67-34 in the middle two quarters. It was a rout in every way and Toronto could not get itself back in the game.
The Raptors were turning to Kawhi Leonard to do that, but his hot shooting from earlier in the game dissipated. And the game slowly got out of hand and away from them. Orlando was the more physical team and knocked Toronto back in those middle quarters.
The Orlando Magic wrap up their homestand before beginning a difficult six-game road trip on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons at the Amway Center.
