Toronto Raptors: Three takeaways from blowout victory vs Orlando Magic

The Toronto Raptors needed to bounce back from their game one woes and pick up the victory in game two against the Orlando Magic, and that’s exactly what happened. What did we take away from the game?

Following on from yet another game one loss, the Toronto Raptors welcomed the Orlando Magic back to the Scotiabank looking to tie the series at a game apiece, a lot would have to change for the Raptors to get the win, but it would have to start with All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry making an impact in the scoring chart.

The defense had to leave their mark on the game too, and the Raptors held the Magic to 35-percent shooting in the first quarter. Former Raptor, Terrence Ross was allowed to get hot, but everyone around him struggled in the first quarter as the Magic only put 18 points on the board.

Lowry took control in the second quarter, bouncing back from his game one slump, he attacked the rim, pushed the tempo and still managed to play hard and aggressive defense, the Raptors were making the Magic’s life a misery, and the visitors woeful shooting night continued, shooting 30-percent in the second quarter.

The Raptors led by 12 at half-time but blew the doors off of the game in the third quarter, Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 37 points, had 16 points in the quarter as the Raptors put up 37 points in the third. They picked apart the Magic defense, attacking the paint at will and causing nightmares for Nikola Vucevic in the pick-and-roll game, the game was as good as done.

Up by 24 points heading into the fourth quarter, and never trailing in the game, the Raptors took the foot off the gas somewhat, but they still outscored the Magic in all four quarters and were able to take the starters out the game with plenty of time left to play.

Now, with the series tied at 1-1, the Raptors will head to Orlando for game three on Friday night and can, hopefully, take the lead in the series. Last night was definitely closer to what we should see for the duration of the series, though.

Anyway, what were my three big takeaways from last night?

1. That’s my point guard

Yeah, Kyle Lowry definitely recovered from his Game One aberration in style. That’s exactly what Game One was for Lowry, nothing more than a blip.

Lowry finished with 22 points on 8-13 shooting, with four rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. His gameplan was clear, Lowry was going to attack the rim and draw the defense into him, and he was able to make them pay with kick outs to the perimeter and drawing contact in the paint.

Initially, Lowry missed his first free throw of the game, and maybe you were worried. But he hit his next attempt to a roar from the crowd, and he never looked back. Say what you want about his performance in the first game, but Kyle Lowry was always going to bounce back and make people eat their words.

His defensive intensity was incredible all night too, accounting for two steals, one block, and two charges drawn. He’s going to put his body on the line for this team every night, and when he plays well, the team plays well. That’s my point guard.

2. That’s also my Kawhi Leonard

Hey, it also helps when Kawhi Leonard has another out of this world performance. Leonard had 37 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 33 minutes of action. It all came on ridiculous efficiency too, as Kawhi was 15-22 from the field, including 50-percent from three.

Like most nights, Leonard looked like he could get any shot he wanted. He tore apart Vucevic when he was switched onto him, attacking the paint and pulling up from midrange. The clear instigator in the Raptors attack, Leonard really was a different class against the Magic.

He really took over in the third quarter, though. Helping himself to 16 points, shooting 7-9 in the quarter, and blowing the roof off the game in the process.

The image of Kawhi Leonard coming out of the game to a standing ovation and the camera panning to Masai Ujiri looking like a mob boss is an all-timer, by the way. What a fun series it can be.

3. Defense, defense, and more defense

This really was the calling card for the Raptors last night. The defensive intensity was off the charts from the first whistle to the last, forcing the Magic into 17 turnovers and holding them to just 37-percent shooting in the game. Moreso, they turned those 17 forced turnovers into 26 points, which is awesome.

Toronto swarmed the Magic ball handlers at every opportunity, forcing them into ill-advised shots and passes. They attacked the passing lanes all night and took the Magic’s best shooters out of the game. It felt like every shot the Magic made was tightly contested and off balance. You can afford to give those up.

It was another bad game for Vucevic too, and he now has 17 combined points in two games. The defense played by Marc Gasol has been incredible and the main reason for his collapse.

If the Toronto Raptors can be this disruptive throughout the rest of the series, you can lock it up.

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