Orlando Magic Grades: Toronto Raptors 90, Orlando Magic 83
The Orlando Magic struggled offensively and turned the ball over too much, once again succumbing to the Toronto Raptors in a frustrating defeat.
38. Final. 90. 81. 83
The Orlando Magic were flying high when Aaron Gordon soared for a two-handed alley-oop jam from Evan Fournier.
The team was flying around the rim, blocking shots and being general pests around the rim. It did not matter who it was — Khem Birch, Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordon, Mo Bamba or, even, Markelle Fultz. They were energetic and active.
Orlando’s defense was back to its hyper-focused, pestering ways. The Toronto Raptors were fighting for everything and having to crash the glass to scratch out points. Pascal Siakam could not figure out how to get past Jonathan Isaac.
That defense occasionally created fast-break opportunities. The Magic were able to attack and get to the foul line. Everyone was feeling good up 11 points.
Then the defending champions turned it on a bit more. They tightened the screws. The Magic suddenly could not find space. Their passes went wayward. Their limited ball movement stopped. Orlando was stuck again.
Toronto would not stay stuck for long to race ahead for a 90-83 win at Amway Center on Friday.
The Magic’s penchant for blocking shots turned against them. Their crashes into the paint left shooters open beyond the arc. And suddenly everything had come undone.
Norman Powell scored 19 of his career-high 33 points in the third quarter, hitting from the outside and then attacking the inside. The Magic were able to lock their defense back in. But the offense never really came back around.
The team was sloppy with 22 turnovers leading to 18 Toronto points — and incidentally 18 fast-break points. That is a sure way to lose against the Raptors. Orlando made several critical errors, driving into traffic or driving into traps without a plan for escape, which simply cannot happen for this team to win.
Orlando shot only 34.6 percent from the floor and 7 for 29 from beyond the arc. It was a long night on that front. But the defense was more than capable of staying in it.
In addition to the 11 blocks, the Magic held the Raptors to 36.9-percent shooting. Pascal Siakam missed 18 of 22 shots. Orlando played better than Toronto’s bench and put itself in a position to win.
Until the team took itself out of that position.
B-. The Orlando Magic’s offense struggled for much of the night. Even in the first half, it was not like the Magic were able to get things moving. But undoubtedly, the Magic’s offense worked a whole lot better with <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER
B. The Orlando Magic were really happy to welcome Aaron Gordon back to the lineup after missing the last three games with a sprained ankle. In time, that will certainly provide some relief offensively to the team. But for this game, Gordon was on a bit of a restriction and was easing back into things.<p>This was at least a good sign of how good he can be when he is back to full speed. The Magic had a +0 plus/minus, only Evan Fournier was positive, suggesting Aaron Gordon made a real impact. He was solid defensively and on the glass with eight rebounds. He challenged shots, protected the lane and really took out his man all game.</p><p>Offensively, Gordon was clearly still getting his legs under him. He did a decent job driving and getting into the lane. He did move the ball decently well. But he still had his possessions where he overdribbled without making much progress or producing an angle for another player. And then he had his wild fadeaways and contested mid-range jumpers. Still, an overall positive return.</p>. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON
Since entering the starting lineup, <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH. B
It is a testament to how good <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. MARKELLE FULTZ. C+
Veteran teams know how to pace themselves through a game and weather some outlier storms. The really good teams find a way to win regardless. This is a win the Toronto Raptors are going to remember for a while.<p>The offense was stuck and going nowhere. Their star was struggling to get anything going. They faced a good and energetic defensive team. And they trailed big in the third quarter. And none of it seemed to matter. Norman Powell stepped up in the third quarter, taking advantage of the good ball movement to hit from the outside. <a rel=. 14-4. 2nd East. TORONTO RAPTORS. C+
Next. Orlando Magic's young players have shown significant growth. dark
The Orlando Magic will turn around and face the defending Western Conference-champion Golden State Warriors on Sunday to close this mini-homestand.