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NBA Playoffs: 3 Keys for the Orlando Magic to win Game 1 over the Toronto Raptors

By Philip Rossman-Reich

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a rebound with Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 1: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors battle for a rebound with Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 24: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 24, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Orlando Magic open up their series with the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. It is a daunting task to get a win. Here are three keys to the series opener.

The Orlando Magic have a quiet confidence about them. They finished the season on a tear, winning 10 of their last 12 games to make the playoff field and rise to seventh in the standings.

The team had its moment to celebrate after defeating the Boston Celtics on Sunday. It was a win that was a long time coming for the team and a moment to celebrate.

But Orlando had to quickly refocus. The team had to get one more win in Charlotte to establish their playoff positioning. The Magic had to do that without Nikola Vucevic and Jonathan Isaac. Both will be ready to play for Game 1 on Saturday.

It took some time for the Magic to find their footing in that game. But then they did what they have always done during this last half of the season — they pulled together and found a way to win. That is what this team does.

The Toronto Raptors await now. A team that has championship aspirations, a ton of length and depth.

They are a balanced team with a strong offense and a strong defense. With a superstar in Kawhi Leonard and former All-Stars in Kyle Lowry and Marc Gasol along with a promising young player like Pascal Siakam and a veteran role player like Danny Green, this is about as complete a team as the Magic could see.

But that is part of the challenge of the playoffs. It would not be worth doing if it were not easy in the end. And trying to beat the Raptors even once will prove a difficult challenge.

Orlando was able to get two wins over Toronto in the regular season. But both of those came with some extenuating circumstances — one was early in the season before the team acquired Gasol and the other was without Leonard.

The Magic showed though they can compete with the Raptors. In the last meeting on April 1, Orlando was able to race out to an 11-point lead. They were moving the ball effectively and getting points easily.

Perhaps too easily. The rest of the game saw the Raptors tear the Magic apart with quick cuts and passing. Toronto’s defense stifled Orlando for much of the rest of the game.

The Magic likely can learn from this game they can indeed play and hang with the Raptors. But also that Toronto can devastate the team if it is not sharp and crisp.

These lessons and reminders likely stick with the team as they prepare for Game 1. Orlando will need its focus to get the job done.

As the series gets set to begin, here are the keys to Game 1.