Orlando Magic Grades: Game 1– Orlando Magic 104, Toronto Raptors 101
The Orlando Magic were not supposed to be in this series or in these playoffs. D.J. Augustin silenced a lot of doubters with one performance.
Final. 104. 38. 101. 81
The Orlando Magic were not even supposed to be here. No one had them pegged for a playoff berth, much less competing in Game 1 on the road against one of the Eastern Conference’s elite teams.
Even less so after that elite team put on a 22-2 run to try to bury them and end their plucky little comeback. Even less so after the star they acquired for this exact situation seemed to bury the team with a tough jumper over their best defender with a minute to play.
The Magic were supposed to fold there. They were supposed to fold in a million other places during this game.
But that is the thing about this team. They do not listen to that. They persevere it seems at every turn and every corner and every opportunity. If there is still a glimmer of a chance, they are going to fight to take it.
D.J. Augustin made sure of that in the Orlando Magic’s 104-101 Game 1 win at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday over the Toronto Raptors.
After Kawhi Leonard buried that tough jumper over Aaron Gordon along the baseline D.J. Augustin stepped up. Hounded by Danny Green all second half, D.J. Augustin broke free on a pick and roll and found an open lane. He drove it and finished a tough layup to tie the game.
The Magic scrambled on defense, getting fortunate when Marc Gasol‘s three rimmed out. And then they caught the Raptors with their foot off the pedal.
D.J. Augustin set up a pick and roll with Nikola Vucevic, staring down Kawhi Leonard who took him on a switch after the Raptors’ switching kept Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross covered. Augustin went over the screen and Leonard and Gasol got their coverage confused. Leonard dipped under preparing for a switch.
Give the Magic an inch, they will take a mile. And Augustin took the whole thing.
He patiently drained the 3-pointer with three seconds remaining. Aaron Gordon was able to force Kawhi Leonard into a difficult 3-pointer that was nowhere near the basket.
The Magic stood toe to toe with the star and did what they were not supposed to. They took Game 1 with a gritty and determined effort that has become the norm for this team.
They did it on the stage they were never supposed to reach. And now they have home-court advantage and the first blood — literally with Michael Carter-Williams — of the series.
A+. D.J. Augustin did it all for the Orlando Magic. He was the calming presence and consistent presence he has been throughout the entire season for the team throughout the game. There were definitely some nerves offensively early on and the Toronto Raptors came to play defensively. Augustin was the one pacing them through it and giving them a base to calm down.<p>Augustin scored 19 of his 25 points in the first half. He shot the ball effectively at 9 for 13 and had six assists. It was a great game offensively for him as he darted into the lane and hit tough shots. Augustin won his matchup with <a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN
The Orlando Magic wanted to treat <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C-
C+. Part of the storyline entering this series was how well the Orlando Magic have played against Kawhi Leonard this season and just what a playoff version of Leonard would like going up against Aaron Gordon. There is a playoff Leonard for sure. But Gordon was more than up for the challenge, if not ceding some ground.<p>Leonard scored 11 points in the first quarter and Gordon admitted postgame he was not as physical with him as he should have been. Leonard finished with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting. But Gordon certainly made his job more difficult. There is certainly room for improvement.</p><p>More importantly, Gordon struggled offensively to break free. The Raptors did a good job limiting transition and Gordon finished with just 10 points on 3-for-10 shooting. He had a tough time finding the garbage points he needs — fast-break points and offensive rebounds — but he still hit some big shots when left open in spot ups. Gordon dribbled too much and did not take advantage of some early post-ups on switches. That will have to change.</p>. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
B+. No one exemplified the resiliency the Orlando Magic showed throughout the game quite like <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS
Magic Lead Series 1-0. . TORONTO RAPTORS. B-. The Toronto Raptors got a lot of the things they will need to win. Kawhi Leonard (25 points) and <a rel=
Next. Aaron Gordon's matchup with Kawhi Leonard will determine series. dark
The Magic lead the playoff series 1-0. Game 2 is set for Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena.