Magic Wands: Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors — April 16, 2019
The Orlando Magic are ready for the Toronto Raptors’ best shot as they try to tie the series before it shifts to Orlando. The Magic hope to have an encore to their upset.
Game 2: Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors
Time/TV: 8 p.m./TNT, FOX Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-RAPTORS ON FUBO TV
Line: Raptors by 10.5
Tickets: $0-$9,100 on Vivid Seats
2019 Season Series: Raptors 93, Magic 91 in Orlando on Nov. 20; Magic 116, Raptors 87 in Orlando on Dec. 28; Magic 113, Raptors 98 in Toronto on Feb. 24; Raptors 121, Magic 109 in Toronto on April 1
Playoff Series: Game 1 – Magic 104, Raptors 101 in Toronto; Game 2- April 16 in Toronto; Game 3 – April 19 in Orlando; Game 4 – April 21 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.5 | 105.1 | 103.1 | 47.8 | 25.5 | 11.1 | 22.2 |
| Toronto | 98.5 | 103.1 | 105.1 | 52.3 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 15.9 |
1) The Orlando Magic’s sense of identity is the one advantage the team has over the Toronto Raptors, Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes.
2) The Orlando Magic have the chance to prove Game 1 was no fluke and that they are a force to be reckoned with in Game 2, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
3) Kyle Lowry wrote a familiar script in Game 1, one that has continued to frustrated Toronto Raptors fans, Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes. The Magic expect Lowry to bounce back in Game 2, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes. The Raptors will need Lowry to win Game 2, Dave Feschuk of The Toronto Star writes.
4) Andrew Fulton of Raptors Rapture goes through a history of Kyle Lowry’s Game 2 performances.
5) Koby Palimaka warns his readers at Raptors Rapture: Do not underestimate the Orlando Magic. D.J. Augustin and the Orlando Magic erased all doubt with that Game 1 win and showed they belonged.
6) The Orlando Magic though understand Game 2 is going to be significantly tougher and be a real introduction to playoff intensity, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
7) The Orlando Magic need Nikola Vucevic to be himself again, Spencer Henderson writes. Rattling Nikola Vucevic again will be a tough task for the Toronto Raptors, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes.
8) Getting Kawhi Leonard more minutes is among the changes the Toronto Raptors need to make for Game 2, Jordan Skuse of Raptors Rapture writes. Coach Steve Clifford says Aaron Gordon will also see his minutes increase to match Kawhi Leonard. Leonard remains the key to the Raptors’ salvation, Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN writes.
9) The Orlando Magic’s strategy of packing the paint stifled the Toronto Raptors throughout the Game 1 and it will not change until the Raptors start hitting 3-pointers, JD Quirante of Raptors HQ writes.
10) Pascal Siakam provides hope that the Toronto Raptors’ response to this setback will be different and the team will grow from these struggles, Blake Murphy of The Athletic writes. Siakam proved he has plenty to offer the Raptors this postseason, Vivek Jacob of Yahoo! Sports writes.
11) The Toronto Raptors’ decision to cross match Danny Green on D.J. Augustin helped stifle the Orlando Magic’s offense in the second half and could provide a clue for Game 2, Blake Murphy of The Athletic writes.
12) The Orlando Magic are fully healthy entering Game 2 after Michael Carter-Williams got hit in the face (no call) in Game 1 and Jonathan Isaac played extra minutes thanks to Wesley Iwundu’s early foul trouble, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
13) The Orlando Magic’s playoff play feels like an extension of their playoff push, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
14) The Orlando Magic did not play their best game in Game 1, but still found a way to win and that sign could be encouraging, Mike Cali of Orlando Pinstriped Post writes.
15) Returning to the swarming defense that dominated the third quarter for the Toronto Raptors is the simple fix for this team, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. The Raptors have to do a better job attacking the basket, Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun writes.
16) Norman Powell and Terrence Ross have been competing with each other since college and even as teammates. It was Powell’s defense on Ross in Game 1 that stood out and won the friendly competition, Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes.
17) Jonathan Isaac draws inspiration from his middle name and he stepped up in a big way for the team in Game 1, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
18) Kobe Bryant came away impressed with Kawhi Leonard’s improvement in the latest episode of Detail on ESPN+.
19) I opened up the Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag to answer your questions about the Orlando Magic’s present and future.