Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors (Dec. 9, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction

The Orlando Magic look to build off their first win in 10 games as they host the Toronto Raptors in the first of two games at the Amway Center.

Orlando Magic (6-20) vs. Toronto Raptors (13-12)

Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-RAPTORS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
Line: Raptors by 8
Tickets: $10-$2,106 on StubHub
Season Series: Raptors 121, Magic 108 in Toronto on Dec. 3; Tonight in Orlando; Dec. 11 in Orlando; Feb. 14 in Toronto

OMD Prediction

The Orlando Magic certainly feel a bit uplifted after defeating the LA Clippers in overtime on Wednesday. The team put a lot of pieces together after falling behind by 18 points in the first quarter, defending at a high level and limiting their turnovers. The first quarter was discouraging for sure, but the rest of the game was encouraging because of how the team carried over its successes from Monday’s narrow loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

That has to be the continuing message and goal for Orlando. The Magic need to find consistency to grow. And this is the biggest challenge. The game after a win is much more important than the win itself. Orlando has to learn how to build upon its successes.

There should be some motivation. Not only because the team is feeling confident after the win. But also because the Raptors routed the Magic just a week ago in Toronto. The Raptors are very good at the things the Magic are typically weak at. So this is a challenge of this team’s focus.

3 Keys To Watch

Battle for the paint

The Orlando Magic’s 3-point defense left a lot to be desired in Wednesday’s win over the LA Clippers. The Clippers hit 15 of 41 3-pointers including six in the first quarter. Still, the Clippers struggled offensively. They shot just 41.1 percent from the floor and then 24 for 54 (44.4 percent) on 2-point shots. The Clippers scored just 40 points in the paint.

This is what the Magic’s focus is defensively right now. They want to stop 3-pointers sure. But there is definitely a greater focus on limiting the paint. That was part of the strategy against the Milwaukee Bucks too and a big reason why the team climbed back into the game Monday.

Overall, Orlando is giving up 50.2 points in the paint per game, 20th in the league. In wins, the Magic give up just 44.0 points in the paint per game. That is actually the best mark in wins in the league. This is the hint of identity for the team.

That will be the big challenge in this game. The Toronto Raptors overall average 52.4 points in the paint per game, 10th in the league. In last week’s game against the Magic in Toronto, the Raptors scored 70 points in the paint.

This is the key for the Magic’s success. They have to win the paint to give themselves the best chance to win.

Home and Road

The Toronto Raptors are just above .500 at the moment and it is hard to figure out why. The Raptors are relatively healthy — a few lingering injuries but nothing significant to their key players — but they have all the hallmarks of Raptors teams. They punish teams for turnovers and mistakes in transition. They are long and disruptive defensively.

So why the problems this year? It is the home and road split.

The Raptors are 10-3 at Scotiabank Arena and 3-9 away from home. Toronto scores 115.4 points per 100 possessions at home and gives up 110.0 points per 100 possessions. On the road, the Raptors score 109.1 points per 100 possessions and give up 111.2 points per 100 possessions.

The Raptors’ defense is as strong as ever. But their offense nosedives on the road. And that is where teams are finding their pockets to beat them. Orlando has to protect the ball and not feed Toronto’s offense because the numbers say the Raptors’ offense will struggle away from home.

Transition and turnovers

It is impossible not to talk about a game against the Toronto Raptors without discussing their transition play. This very well may determine whether Orlando is able to compete in this game or not. The Raptors totaled 21 fast break points and scored 25 points off 16 Magic turnovers.

For the season, Toronto leads the league with 18.8 fast-break points per game and 21.7 points off turnovers per game. The Magic are 27th giving up 16.1 fast-break points per game and 26th with 20.0 points off turnovers per game.

A big reason the Magic were able to make that comeback was because they cut back on their turnovers. Orlando turned it over six times to put the team in the hole but only had seven turnovers the rest of the game. This as much as anything is why the team came back to win the game.

The Magic have to continue to limit their turnovers. Especially in a game like this.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.