Raptors 112 – Magic 101: Deep shooting is back
By Brian Boake
The Raptors were facing the pitiful Magic in a play-out-the-string affair. Toronto rested some key people, but rode strong outside shooting to yet another win.
In the season’s final game at the ACC, the Toronto Raptors stretched their home record to a ridiculous 34-7 by defeating the Orlando Magic. That winning rate is matched by only the Houston Rockets.
This game wasn’t taken seriously by either team. DeMar DeRozan was dressed but didn’t play, and Jonas Valanciunas didn’t even bother to put on his uniform. He was the big guy in the gray suit sitting on the bench.
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Norman Powell and Lucas Nogueira got the starts, and both suffered the extreme misfortune of early injuries. Norm turned his ankle within 90 seconds of tipoff, while Bebe seemed to get a whack in the midsection a few minutes later (or perhaps he suffered another groin strain). Powell was able to return, and offered an encouraging performance which included three 3s. Lucas, sadly, was taken to the dressing room and not seen again.
Rising to the occasion
The shorthanded Raptors didn’t cry in their beer. Instead, a couple of people who hadn’t done much scoring lately found the porous Magic defense very much to their liking. OG Anunoby had a bunch of open looks from beyond the arc, and took advantage five times out of eight. C.J. Miles also buried a handful of threes, much to the profound relief of Raptors lovers everywhere. He was fouled on two other attempts, and hit five of the resulting six free throws. OG and C.J. combined for 43 points.
Another player conspicuous by his absence was Fred VanVleet. He made a pair of token appearances in the first half, then sat the second. Most of the point guard worked was undertaken successfully by Kyle Lowry and Delon Wright.
The Raptors had defeated two tough opponents earlier this week by dint of fierce defense and just enough offense. This night saw a return to accuracy from beyond the arc, as the Raptors drained 17 of 40 tries. Orlando scored three more field goals than Toronto, but made a mere seven long balls. One of those came from Terrence Ross, who looked tentative in his first game in many months.
There’s not a lot more which needs saying about a game which was in garbage time almost immediately. The Magic are auditioning next year’s squad, so young hopefuls like Rodney Purvis and Khem Birch got some burn. Veterans Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights were cheerleaders.
Meantime the Raptors bench mob enjoyed lots of work. Pascal Siakam showed off his ever-improving handle, and Jakob Poeltl was 5 for 5. OG and C.J. got to play major roles in a playoff tune-up. Assuming Norman and Lucas aren’t sidelined, there were lots of positives for a meaningless game.