Raptors guard Danny Green playfully correcting teammates who are fielding questions about the Raptors' (pending) second-round matchup against Philadelphia. "The game isn't over yet!" The Sixers lead by 31 at the end of the third quarter in their close-out game.
Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Toronto Raptors used another stifling defensive effort to beat the Orlando Magic 115-96 on Tuesday night, winning their first-round playoff series in five games.
Kyle Lowry injured his right hand during the second quarter, and checked out of the game just before halftime. The Raptors say he will return.
Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 107-85 on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Too much Kawhi Leonard, who is blunting every defensive tactic Orlando throws at him. He now has 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting from the field. Toronto leads 92-75 with eight minutes remaining in Game 4.
The Magic are generating quality offense ... at buzzers. Terrence Ross drains a frantic, 30-foot 3-pointer to end the third after draining a half-court shot Friday at the halftime buzzer. Toronto leads 82-70 with one quarter to play in Orlando in Game 4.
Orlando coach Steve Clifford had three points of emphasis pregame: + The Magic need to limit turnovers. + The Magic need to protect the glass, something they did well this season. + The Magic need to make better decisions when the Raptors send help. So far, the Magic have racked up seven turnovers, and the Raptors have collected a very high percentage of their misses (36.4 percent). On decision-making in traffic, Orlando has been ok, though most of the offensive improvement is the result of some tough shot-making.
A sharp-shooting offensive start in Orlando, where the Raptors lead the Magic 28-26 after one quarter. Toronto is finding its way to the rim, and went 11-for-19 in the period. The Magic put together a decent offensive quarter, as well, with Nikola Vucevic scoring eight points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field.
Pascal Siakam had 30 points and 11 rebounds, Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and the Toronto Raptors held off the Orlando Magic 98-93 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
As Marc Gasol takes a seat with his fourth foul, he gives a little wink to official Tony Brothers, who whistled him twice in two possessions. The Raptors haven't trailed in two games, but cling to 54-53 lead with 8:30 remaining in the third quarter.
With a successful heave from halfcourt at the second-quarter buzzer, Terrence Ross salvages what was a woeful half of offensive basketball for Orlando. The Magic turned the ball 11 times in the first half, while generating only 11 attempts at the rim. Overall, their effective field goal percentage was an anemic 45.2. For the Raptors, it wasn't significantly better. They were able to manufacture 18 shots at the rim, but converted only seven of them. Kawhi Leonard was uncharacteristically inefficient in the first half -- eight points on 11 field goal attempts, along with a trip to the line for two shots. Toronto 48, Orlando 45 with a 24 minutes remaining in Game 3.
Kawhi Leonard is seeing multiple bodies at every incursion to the rim. He's converted only 1 of 7 field goal attempts for 2 points. Accordingly, the Raptors are generating efficient offense, scoring fewer than a point per possession nearly midway through the second quarter, clinging to a 33-31 lead at Orlando.
Turnovers were a point of emphasis for Orlando coming into Game 3. Yet in 11 possessions so far, the Magic have turned the ball over five times, against only 2 field goals. Raptors lead 10-5 midway through a choppy first quarter in Orlando.
Greetings from Orlando, where the Magic are hosting their first playoff game since May 2012. The starting lineup for the Magic in that first-round series loss to Indiana? Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis. Prior to the game, Magic coach Steve Clifford said that it's imperative the Magic protect possession against the Raptors. "he biggest thing tonight is, the first thing is we can't turn the ball over 17 times," he said. "If we do it is going to be hard. They are No. 1 in the NBA on points per possession off of turnovers. We had 17 and they scored 26 points. For all the other areas where they outplayed us the other night, if that is 10 or 11 turnovers, who knows, maybe we still have a chance late."
Raptors coach Nick Nurse says swingman Patrick McCaw will be available in Game 3 tonight in Orlando for the first time this postseason. "I'm planning on using him," said Nurse pregame, praising McCaw's defensive ability. McCaw hasn't seen action since March 28, as he's been recovering from a sprained right thumb. With OG Anunoby sidelined indefinitely, McCaw is a long wing whose versatility could come in handy for Toronto.
(Sara Ziegler, assistant sports editor): We've had almost one full week of games in the NBA playoffs, and trends are emerging.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 42 | 40 | .512 | - | W4 |
| Charlotte | 39 | 43 | .476 | 3 | L1 |
| Miami | 39 | 43 | .476 | 3 | L1 |
| Washington | 32 | 50 | .390 | 10 | L4 |
| Atlanta | 29 | 53 | .354 | 13 | L3 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(6) | Mohamed Bamba | C | Texas |
| 2(5) | Melvin Frazier | SF | Tulane |
| 2(11) | Jarred Vanderbilt | PF | Kentucky |
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 42 | 40 | .512 |
| 2017-18 | 25 | 57 | .305 |
| 2016-17 | 29 | 53 | .354 |
| 2015-16 | 35 | 47 | .427 |
| 2014-15 | 25 | 57 | .305 |
