Toronto Raptors Roundtable: Orlando Magic preview

Series MVP – relative to expectations

Mark Birdsell:

Kyle Lowry has the opportunity to control this series from the opening tip. The weakest link in the Magic’s starting five is at point guard. The team starts D.J. Augustin and brings Michael Carter-Williams off the bench.

Augustin is more suited for a reserve role and Carter-Williams has only played 27 games this season. Maybe the Magic can revive Markelle Fultz‘s career, but in this series, they don’t have a point guard who is capable of containing Lowry.

Mike Bossetti:

Let’s get crazy and say Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has the quickness to destroy Vucevic whenever the two share the court, and while he’s a nice story, excuse me for not fearing Khem Birch on the other side of the court.

With the transition game shut down and the Magic’s length controlling the rim, Serge’s ability to hit midrange jumpers will be critical for the second unit.

If this is relative to expectations, I’m taking Serge.

Jordan Skuse:

Kawhi could very well go on to average 30 points a game over the series’ lifespan, and yet, for me, Toronto’s MVP will likely always be Kyle Lowry.

He does so much to help this team win — he scores, he makes precisely the right pass at precisely the right time (see Serge Ibaka 1-5 screen-and-pop play). He rebounds, draws charges and is hands down the best-dressed player on the bench.

Also, who is better at working refs than North Philly’s finest? Fact is, in these playoffs, Lowry may never lead Toronto in anything besides assists, but he’ll continue to be the super glue that holds this entire thing together. Shoutout to Danny Green, who I almost chose as my answer to this question…

Raju Byfield:

Kawhi Leonard is the Toronto Raptors MVP whenever he is on the floor. Pascal Siakam has averaged a putrid 8.8 points and 6.8 rebounds on .357 shooting in his four games against the Magic this season and is not a real threat to steal ‘series MVP’ from Kawhi.