Toronto Raptors: Classifying Potential Playoff Matchups as Good or Bad

Orlando Magic

On paper, Orlando is a very young team lacking Playoff experience. Their five starters have played a combined total of 33 Playoff games. D.J. Augustin accounts for nearly 85 percent of them.

However, the Magic are a team that has given the Raptors a run for their money this season. Orlando has been victorious in two out of four meetings between them this season. In addition, the Magic beat the Raptors by a whopping 29 points back in December.

In both of Toronto’s losses to Orlando Lowry or Leonard were out of the lineup. Both of the Raptors’ victories over the magic came with their All-Stars in the fold.

Currently, the Magic are clinging on to the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and seem the most likely opponent. However, things could change with only a few games left in the regular season.

Despite easily beating the Toronto Raptors twice this year, Orlando has only seen them at full strength twice. Since beating Orlando back in November the Raptors have become a much better team.

In their most recent meeting, the Raptors defeated the Magic by nearly 20 points. However, Toronto’s previous victory over Orlando was a squeaker which saw the team escape with a mere two-point victory.

The Magic are a young, versatile and defensively sound team that can provide a lot of options on both ends of the court. Jonathan Isaac has been able to contain Pascal Siakam in each matchup so far, and stopping the unique power forward puts a halt to a large chunk of the Raptors offense.

Toronto should progress, but Orlando could provide the toughest test of all the potential first-round opponents.

Verdict: Bad matchup. Orlando knows they can beat Toronto and hang with them when they are at full strength.