Orlando Magic Grades: Toronto Raptors 109, Orlando Magic 99

The Orlando Magic again found themselves down big after the first quarter and were unable to recover against one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams.

It was another first quarter where the Orlando Magic’s opponent managed to double their points. A slow start for the Magic put them behind a quality opponent and chasing the lead against a team designed to prevent those comebacks.

The only thing the Magic seemed like they would win was the tip-off.

After coach Steve Clifford called out the Orlando Magic for an “unacceptable” and “mindless” effort in a loss to the Indiana Pacers, everyone expected the Magic to burst through the gate. They might have played with more energy and intensity.

They might have done that, but that did not mean any different results. But after going 0 for 9 on 3-point shooting and just 5 for 20 from the floor overall, the Magic slumped to a 26-11 deficit after the first quarter. Four of the five starters missing at least one from behind the arc.

A 15-point deficit against the Toronto Raptors is a tall order with their length, size and defensive acuity. The Raptors built as much as a 24-point lead and never trailed in a 109-99 win at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

Orlando seemed to settle into a lull throughout much of the first half and into the second half. They seemed like they had accepted another loss to their potential playoff opponent and another quality team. Toronto’s suffocating defensive scheme and the Magic’s inability to create a steady offense spelled a season-low 35 points going into halftime, while turning
over the ball nine times.

Orlando did not give up the ship. The team clawed itself back into the game slowly but surely. The Magic cut the deficit to as low as seven points early in the fourth quarter. The team had a change to complete an improbable comeback.

But Toronto was able to keep Orlando at arm’s length. The Magic would get no closer and could not string together enough good play to get over the top.

Making matters more complicated, Aaron Gordon went down with a nasty fall late in the third quarter.

Aaron Gordon went up to the rim in the half-court, only to get hit by Kyle Lowry. He fell awkwardly and left the game with left hamstring tightness.

The potential loss of Gordon for even a short time does not bode well for Orlando. The Magic were already struggling for depth at the power forward slot. Gordon missing considerable time would only serve to exacerbate that problem.

The resultant flagrant seemed to jolt the Magic and a renewed energy managed to cut the Raptors’ lead to 10 points, with the third quarter finishing 68-78. Heading into the last quarter the Magic seemed to have an outside shot of coming back to win this game.

The fourth started off with both teams exchanging baskets and the gap between the teams staying consistently near 10 points. The Magic had many chances to cut down that lead but continued lapses in shooting meant they were never able to do so.

Orlando shot only 40.2 percent from the floor. The Magic’s offensive rating was worse than one point per possession.

A crowning moment that summed up the night was when Terrence Ross missed a wide-open look from downtown which was then rebounded by D.J. Augustin and kicked to Evan Fournier for another open look, which subsequently rimmed out.

Another bad shooting night and another bad first quarter seemed to bite the Magic again. Their play could have sent a message to a probable first-round opponent, but it ended up showing this team could lack drive when it matters most.

Even though Orlando may have proved they could hang with the top of the East they only did so for three quarters and that is what cost them the game. Another injury may also deplete the already stretched squad so close before the playoffs.

Apart from keeping Orlando down double digits, Toronto found ways to consistently get going on the other side of the floor. The Raptors had six players get double-digit scoring figures and had their points spread across all their players. Fred VanVleet led with a team-high of 21 points and Norman Powell went for 14 off the bench. The Raptors ended with shooting marks that were 8.5 percentage points better from the field and 10 percentage points better from three, and this supremely better efficiency combined with their lethal defending ended up getting them the win.

Despite all this, the Raptors were likely a bit frustrated with their play. Pascal Siakam went 5 for 12 from the floor and had seven turnovers. Toronto turned the ball over 15 times, something Orlando failed to take advantage of. It was a sloppy game with the Raptors allowing the Magic to hang around too long.

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B+

Nick Nurse’s defensive scheme restricted the Orlando Magic to a season-low 35 points in the first half. The Toronto Raptors rode their halftime lead to the end of the game. They forced 13 turnovers out of a Steve Clifford side and their performance showed why they deserve to contend in the Eastern Conference.

Apart from keeping Orlando down double digits, Toronto found ways to consistently get going on the other side of the floor. The Raptors had six players get double-digit scoring figures and had their points spread across all their players. Fred VanVleet led with a team-high of 21 points and Norman Powell went for 14 off the bench. The Raptors ended with shooting marks that were 8.5 percentage points better from the field and 10 percentage points better from three, and this supremely better efficiency combined with their lethal defending ended up getting them the win.

Despite all this, the Raptors were likely a bit frustrated with their play. Pascal Siakam went 5 for 12 from the floor and had seven turnovers. Toronto turned the ball over 15 times, something Orlando failed to take advantage of. It was a sloppy game with the Raptors allowing the Magic to hang around too long.