- The Raptors were better than the Orlando Magic in their third game after the NBA restart, 109-99.
- Overall this is Toronto’s seventh straight victory in a row.
- Aaron Gordon suffered what seems to be a hamstring injury.
- Toronto is just one win away from clinching the No.2 seed in the East.
Raptors Take Down Magic, Win Three in a Row
Technically, this is the seventh consecutive triumph for Nick Nurse’s side, as they won four straight before the pause in March. The Raptors are now sitting at 49-18, and are looking very solid following these three contests in Orlando.
It appears that the champs have no problems adjusting to the atmosphere during the games, unlike some other players who are still struggling to adapt to the new circumstance.
“There’s crowd noise, you can see family members and coaches’ family members and players’ family members [on the screens], there is a sense of personal touch to it,” Nurse said adding that the organizers still improve some details, and that he believes that there could be some sort of a small home-court advantage in the playoffs.
“Who knows what it’ll evolve to here two months from now. So I don’t want to discount the home court thing quite yet.”
Toronto opened the game perfectly, limiting the Magic to just 11 points during the opening 12 minutes, and setting the tone on the court. After that, it was all a routine for the Canadians who were confidently cruising towards another victory. The only time Orlando looked better was in the third sequence, which they won, 33-23, but that was just a momentarily spark of the Magic who would experience another loss.
One of their best players, Aaron Gordon, had to leave the game, as he apparently hurt his left hamstring, following one foul committed by Kyle Lowry. The Magic superstar went for a dunk but was stopped when Lowry hit him on the arm. Once crashed on the floor, Gordon grabbed his leg, and had to leave following the free throws. Until that moment, he had 9 points, 11 boards, and five assists.
Terrence Ross had 15 points, the same as Evan Fournier. Nikola Vucevic added 12 and 9 boards. Wes Iwudu ended the night with 11 points. The Magic shot 11-for-41 from downtown.
Raptors Near Place No.2 in the East
Toronto was solid with FG percentage, 48.7% shooting 38-for-78 from the field. Fred VanVleet, who is in superb form, was once again the top scorer of his team, with 21 points, and 10 assists. Kyle Lowry also had 10 dimes, with 8 points and nine boards.
Pascal Siakam delivered 15 and 6 boards, Norman Powell had 12 off the bench, Marc Gasol 13 and 6 rebounds, and Anunoby added 12 and 5 rebounds.
The Raptors need one more victory to secure second place in the Eastern Conference, and that could be the one against their direct rivals the Boston Celtics on Friday. That is the next game for Nick Nurse’s crew.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic will meet the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day. It is possible to see them without Gordon, besides Jonathan Issac, who already suffered a season-ending injury.
