The Toronto Raptors seem to have found their shooting form, but will face a long defensive lineup in the Orlando Magic. While Orlando are attempting a high volume of threes, they’re allowing a fair amount on the other end. Toronto should come out on top in what will be a competitive matchup.
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Toronto Raptors def. Orlando Magic (-350)
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Head-to-Head: Orlando Magic vs Toronto Raptors
| Orlando Magic |
Head-to-Head |
Toronto Raptors |
| Jamahl Mosley |
Head Coach |
Nick Nurse |
| 1-4 (13th in East) |
Standing |
2-3 (10th in East) |
| L-L-W-L |
Form |
W-L-W-L |
| 102.0 (26th of 30) |
Off Rtg |
106.0 (18th of 30) |
| 116.3 (29th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
101.1 (6th of 30) |
| 98.9 (27th of 30) |
Pace |
98.0 (28th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| C. Anthony (17.0) |
PPG |
O. Anunoby (19.0) |
| W. Carter Jr. (9.4) |
RPG |
P. Achiuwa (10.2) |
| C. Anthony (5.8) |
APG |
F. Vanvleet (8.2) |
| J. Suggs (1.2) |
SPG |
G. Trent Jr. (2.8) |
| M. Bamba (1.6) |
BPG |
C. Boucher (1.2) |
| R. Lopez (.667)/C. Anthony (6.2) |
FG%/FGM |
S. Barnes (.537)/S. Barnes (7.2) |
| R. Hampton (.429)/C. Anthony, T. Ross (2.2) |
3P%/3PM |
D. Banton (.600)/O. Anunoby (3.0) |
ORL: Control the Glass
The Orlando Magic are lacking in offensive options at the moment, and they’re missing key wing defender Jonathan Isaac. While the Magic could worry about keep pace on offence, what they need to do is control the rebounding battle to win this game.
Orlando rank 25th in the league in rebounds per game, while the Toronto Raptors are ranked third in the league. Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba have done a solid job, combining for 17.8 rebounds per game, but they need help.
The Toronto Raptors are small, but they rebound as a group with six players averaging four rebounds or more. If the Magic want to win this game, they need to win the rebounding battle on both ends.
Magic Key Player: (G) Jalen Suggs
The Orlando Magic were thrilled when Jalen Suggs fell into their lap with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He’s been solid, but not spectacular through his five games. He’ll surely want to step up against the team that looked past him on draft night.
Suggs is averaging 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 30 minutes per game. He’s truly a do-it-all guard, but he needs to be better with his shot selection – averaging just 28.6% from the field.
While he may not literally go one-on-one with Scottie Barnes on this night, the narrative of Suggs’ rookie season will begin with this game. After being turned down by the only team he scheduled a workout with, this may be the night Suggs shows off.
TOR: Keep Finding Good Shots
To say the Toronto Raptors struggled to score the ball in their first three games would be an understatement. But in their recent victory against the Pacers, they were able to find their rhythm.
In their win the Raptors were able to shoot 14 of 30 from three-point range while assisting on 22 of their 46 field goals. A large part of their shooting success has to do with the playmaking of Fred Vanvleet and Scottie Barnes, who accounted for 13 of their 22 assists.
They now face a young Orlando team that is in the bottom third in all three-point defending categories. The length of Orlando’s paint protector’s is an issue, so expect Toronto to keep up their three-point shooting if they want a victory.
Raptors Key Player: (F) Scottie Barnes
The Toronto Raptors were looked at as the fools on Draft Night when they selected Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick, and not Jalen Suggs. Through the preseason and the opening of the regular season however, Toronto look like the geniuses.
Through five games Barnes has been brilliant. He is averaging 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on 53.7% shooting from the field. While his game from inside the arc has been magnificent, he still needs to find consistency from three and cut down on turnovers.
This may be a difficult game for Barnes. Between Bamba and Carter Jr., Barnes will be met at the rim by the toughest rim protectors he’s faced so far. His passing is always a valued skill, but if he can’t find his way to the rim he needs to contribute in other areas.
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