The Orlando Magic hit the road for a difficult back-to-back as they take on the struggling Toronto Raptors in a makeup game from a postponed game earlier this year.
Orlando Magic (15-48) at Toronto Raptors (34-28)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Raptors by 7
Tickets: $30-$364 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Raptors 110, Magic 109 in Toronto on Oct. 29; Tonight in Toronto; April 1 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.6 | 104.1 | 112.0 | 50.3 | 25.3 | 14.8 | 22.6 |
| Toronto | 96.6 | 111.4 | 110.3 | 51.0 | 32.4 | 13.1 | 23.2 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have not had the chance to lead deep into the fourth quarter much this season. The last time they had a lead that seemed impossible to lose in the fourth quarter was their other overtime loss — a defeat to the Boston Celtics. They responded to that game with a solid effort (in a loss) to the Chicago Bulls on the road. That was a gutsy performance.
Now how will they respond to Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers when they lost a 15-point lead to start the fourth quarter at home? This is a test of the team’s mettle as much as anything else. What is their resolve like?
That will be made tougher with Markelle Fultz sitting the front end of this back to back as part of his injury maintenance and Wendell Carter listed as QUESTIONABLE with a non-COVID illness.
The Toronto Raptors are in a tough spot right now too. They have just three wins in their last eight games, including a 108-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons last night. Toronto is still a really strong defensive team though and that will make this an interesting battle of styles, even with the Raptors playing without OG Anunoby.
3 Keys To Watch
Jalen’s better?
When the Orlando Magic arrived in Toronto for their first meeting in October, the NBA Draft was still fresh in everyone’s minds. The Toronto Raptors were still getting some heat publicly for taking Scottie Barnes over Jalen Suggs, even with Barnes’ fast start and Suggs’ difficult start. Toronto fans serenaded Suggs with “Scottie’s better” the entire game.
Suggs proceeded to have one of the best games of his young career, scoring 21 points including powering a late-game run that gave the Magic a chance to win in the end. As Cole Anthony said about the Houston Rockets, the Orlando Magic might owe the Toronto Raptors one for a missed shot at the buzzer.
Barnes though has continued to play well. He is averaging 14.9 points per game, grabbing 7.6 rebounds per game and shooting a 52.3-percent effective field goal percentage. Barnes has certainly been more consistent and efficient for the Raptors — also playing a smaller role on a team with better balance and more scorers around him.
Suggs said he felt like he had something extra for this game the last time the teams faced. He is playing a lot better now than he was then. There is still something seemingly to prove to a team that passed over him.
Pace of play
The Orlando Magic are starting to develop a distinct style. Which is a good thing! The Magic should be trying to develop an identity and figure out what they need to do to win. Playing with a bit of controlled chaos has been a big part of whatever success the Magic have had this year.
The team is 10th in the league in pace and is flirting with playing at 100 possessions per 48 minutes. Orlando is getting more comfortable playing at a quicker pace too. And becoming more efficient at it.
The Magic are 20th in the league with 10.7 fast-break points per game this year. But in their last 15 games, they are 10th in the league at 13.7 fast-break points per game. That is a good step up for a team playing at a faster pace.
The Toronto Raptors, in the meantime, like to play at a slower pace. They are in the bottom-10 in the league in possessions per 48 minutes. And despite playing at a more deliberate pace, Toronto is third in the league in fast-break points at 15.3 points per game.
The Raptors are good at turning their defense to offense and then working the shot clock for a good shot when they are not able to get on the break. Controlling possessions is critical for the game.
Cooled Off Cole
Markelle Fultz’s return has put the Orlando Magic’s point guard future in a bit of focus. Nobody expected Fultz to play this well this quickly. And suddenly, the Magic have some bigger questions at point guard. Especially with how much Anthony struggled with the ball late in Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Anthony has been struggling with his shot for a while now. He scored 11 points in each of the Magic’s games with the Pacers. But he made only 7 of his 27 shots (25.9-percent). His efficiency has taken a major dip, minus a few games where he shot the ball well.
The Magic are going to rely more and more on Anthony with Fultz sitting Friday’s game. The Magic still turn to him late in games. He has to make good on those promises and those opportunities. Orlando needs to get Anthony warmed up.