Orlando Magic vs Toronto Raptors (Game 5): Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors

Where: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, Canada

When: Tuesday April 23rd at 7:00 PM EST

How (TV): NBATV

Series Standing: 3-1 TOR

Orlando Magic (Away)

Head Coach: Steve Clifford {All-Time 238-254 | ORL}

Season Record: 42-40, 7th in East

Projected Starting Five: (G) DJ Augustin – (G) Evan Fournier – (F) Jonathan Isaac – (F) Aaron Gordon – (C) Nikola Vucevic

Top Performers:

• F Aaron Gordon – 34.5 MPG | 16.5 PPG | 7.3 RPG | .510 FG%
• F Terrence Ross – 28.5 MPG | 13.5 PPG | 1.3 SPG | .345 3P%
• G DJ Augustin – 28.8 MPG | 12.3 PPG | 3.8 APG | .594 eFG%

The Orlando Magic have their backs up against the wall. After losing both of their two home games to the Toronto Raptors, the advantage they gained from Game 1 is entirely gone.

While the Magic’s starters helped lead the charge, they failed to find contributions from anywhere else. The lack of assistance from the reserves spelled their doom.

The Toronto Raptors don’t want to go back to Orlando and will be giving it their greatest effort to take down the Magic in five. Orlando will need a performance reminiscent of Game 1 in hopes of bringing the series back to their home court.

Toronto Raptors (Home)

Head Coach: Nick Nurse {All-Time 58-24 | TOR}

Season Record: 58-24

Projected Starting Five: (G) Kyle Lowry – (G) Danny Green – (F) Kawhi Leonard – (F) Pascal Siakam – (C) Marc Gasol

Top Performers:

• F Kawhi Leonard – 34.5 MPG | 28.0 PPG | 6.5 RPG | .429 3P%
• F Pascal Siakam – 29.0 MPG | 22.4 PPG | 9.0 RPG | .541 FG%
• G Kyle Lowry – 27.5 MPG | 10.8 PPG | 8.5 APG | 2.3 SPG

The Toronto Raptors have taken control of this series after a disappointing, but classic start to the series. After going down 0-1 after Game 1, the Toronto Raptors have won three games in a row – their most consecutive wins in playoff history.

The Toronto Raptors have been getting valuable contributions across the board. Sporting efficiency with either lineup, the Raptors seem primed to take down the Magic in five.

The Magic have been unable to contain Leonard or Siakam in this series. Expect the Raptors to lean on their two stars to finish the series and attain a deserved rest before the second round.

What’s At Stake?

The Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic have a deep competitive series. In 85 regular season games, the Raptors lead the Magic 46-39.

These two teams have also met in the playoffs once before, during the eras of Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard in 2008. The Magic won their only previous series against the Raptors 4-1.

A win for the Toronto Raptors would award them the series and promote them into Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs against the winner of the Sixers-Nets series.

A win for the Orlando Magic would bring the series to 3-2, as well as back to Florida on their home court.

Aaron Gordon Has Been a Bright Spot

Inexperience rules the Orlando Magic roster when it comes to the NBA Playoffs, and it has shown across the board. While not entirely consistent, Aaron Gordon has shown that he can contribute regardless of scoring.

Known for his dunking and athletic antics, Gordon’s technical game has been on display against the Toronto Raptors. In his most recent game, Gordon was a load – he scored eight field-goals in the paint while also punishing the Raptors with two three-point field-goals.

He’s drawn an incredibly difficult matchup against Kawhi Leonard. While Gordon’s defense hasn’t been awful, despite that suggestion based on Leonard’s production, he will need to do more to slow down the perennial All-Star in hopes of keeping his team in the game.

The Toronto Defence Is Incredible

The entire Toronto Raptors starting lineup could likely be in consideration for All-Defensive honors at the end of the season. Lowry, Siakam, Green, Leonard, and Gasol have all done their fair share of ball-stopping and rotating to slow the Magic.

Since the Toronto Raptors’ Game 1 loss to the Magic, they have ramped up their defensive intensity. The Magic have failed to score more than 93 points in their last three games, despite averaging 107.3 per game (14th of 30) during the regular season.

Special notice goes to Danny Green, who has drawn the assignment of DJ Augustin and has essentially neutralized him from the series. After a 25-point Game 1 performance, the All-Defence Team member has kept the heady point guard from orchestrating the play and thus brought the Magic offense to a halt.

Orlando Magic Roster Notes

C Mohamed Bamba – 21 Mar 2019 – Out (Left Tibia Fracture) – Bamba is still without a timetable for his return.

G Markelle Fultz – 21 Mar 2019 – Out (Shoulder/Wrist) – Fultz is making progress in his rehab, but still has no timetable for his return according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

Toronto Raptors Roster Notes

The Toronto Raptors have no roster changes of note.

X-Factors: Terrence Ross (ORL) vs Norman Powell (TOR)

Seemingly linked at the waist, the performances of Terrence Ross and Norman Powell will define the success of their teams once again in Game 5. Terrence Ross was a no-show in Game 4 while Norman Powell soared to an efficient shooting night.

Terrence Ross

Small Forwad | 6-7, 206lb (201cm, 93kg) | Washington | Exp. 6 Years

15.1 PPG | 1.7 APG | 3.5 RPG | 0.9 SPG | 0.4 BPG | 1.1 TOV | .428 FG% | .383 3P%

The former Toronto Raptors was near invisible in his most recent game of this series. It is without a doubt imperative, that Terrence Ross produce for the Magic to be successful.

In his last match, Terrence Ross was a disappointing 1-5 from the field to the tune of a -25 +/-. What was shocking wasn’t his scoreline, but the lack of field-goal attempts in general.

The Raptors have been attached to Ross’ hip and there’s no expectation that that will stop in the next match. Ross will need to find a way to get his offense going if they want to take the series to Orlando.

Norman Powell

Shooting Guard | 6-4, 215lb (193cm, 97kg) | UCLA | Exp. 3 Years

8.6 PPG | 1.5 APG | 2.3 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 0.2 BPG | 1.1 TOV | .483 FG% | .400 3P%

Playoff Norm, NormGod, We The Norm – the Toronto Raptors are thrilled by the performances of their talisman off the bench, Norman Powell. The fourth-year guard has come into his own in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

In his last game against the Magic, Powell was relentless attacking the rim. He was 7-9 from the field and hit a three to cap off his night. His efficiency was felt in limited minutes.

Powell may not be the focal point any time he is on the court. But efficiency of this kind will do well to push head coach Nick Nurse to include him in the lineup more frequently.

Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic Predictions and Odds

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