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

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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Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 3: Toronto Raptors mascot plays the drum before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of Round Two of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Survive the initial rush

The Orlando Magic seemed excited but very confident as they spoke to the media ahead of the playoffs. The team knows how special this moment is and they want to make the most of it. But at the same time, they are ready and willing to put in the work necessary to scratch out wins.

The one thing they know they cannot prepare for is the noise and intensity of these games. It is something they are well aware of. They know the Scotiabank Arena is going to be loud Saturday night. They know that each moment will feel like it has a lot of weight.

Coach Steve Clifford said he was not worried about how his team will handle the atmosphere on the road. The Magic have won tough road games throughout the regular season. And he has made sure to drill into his team how to take the right approach.

Still, it is impossible to know exactly how this group will respond until they get into that environment.

The beginning of the game itself is likely to be a fevered pitch. The arena is going to be loud and rocking for what, even Clifford admits, is probably the best team in Raptors history. There are big expectations for this team and they know they can meet them.

That is on top of the Raptors already having a strong playoff reputation for their crowd.

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The first six minutes of this game are going to be a test of the Magic’s nerves and how well they handle this intensity. They are going to get thrown into the deep end immediately.

If Orlando gets blitzed early, that could spell trouble for this game at least.

The Magic have recovered plenty after taking early hits. The win over the Miami Heat a few weeks ago had a playoff-like atmosphere early in the game and the Orlando Magic went down by 17. As the game cooled off, the Magic came back and took the win — perhaps the elongated halftime helped.

There will be no cooling off of the crowd if the Raptors get rolling. Orlando will have to find its composure in a completely different environment.

It will be interesting to see how the team handles it.