Every Eastern conference matchup is a reminder of the precarity of the Raptors’ place in the playoff race. Tonight’s matchup with the Orlando Magic pits Toronto against a team pushing to get out of Play-In purgatory, as the Raps seek to tack on another win before getting back on the road.
While Toronto is freed from the risk of falling out of the postseason, the fifth place spot that secures a playoff berth is set to be more hotly contested real estate than a rent controlled unit on Bloor Street. The first four spots occupied by the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, and Cavaliers, seem all but impossible to dislodge, and represent a massive gulf in season success between them and all other teams in the conference. Orlando is a team that has underperformed this year. Despite a great start to the season, the Magic cooled off fast, and have had a number of hot streaks and cold runs that brought them to a 39-34 record.
While still contending with Franz Wagner’s lingering injury from early this season, the Magic have also been playing without shooting guard Anthony Black, who’s started 40 games this season. Paolo Banchero has been carrying the Magic, putting up some big statistical performances over the past three games. He’s hit thirty points in two losses and a win, most recently, in a victory at home against the Sacramento Kings. Immanuel Quickley and Jamison Battle both being out signals a heavily depleted reserve of shooting for the Raptors, meaning more minutes and more potential impact from Ja’Kobe Walter, fresh off of an 18 point night where he took 10 threes and made 40% of them, while dishing out four assists. Toronto is lucky to have the guard depth it does in a situation like this, though the loss of firepower is never a good thing in a game that could go either way.
The Raptors have played the Magic twice already this season, beating them in December, while losing the January contest. This is a chance for the Raptors to take the season series, and cement their victory over the Florida squad. This game, and the rest leading to the end of the regular season, represent whether the Raptors will need to fight their way out of the Play-In, or maintain the luxury of a confirmed playoff spot.
Game Information and Detail
Game Time: 6:00 EDT
Watch On: TSN
Injury Report
Raptors: Immanuel Quickley (Out – foot), Jamison Battle (Out), Collin Murray-Boyles (Day-To-Day – back), Brandon Ingram (Day-To-Day – heel), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Day-To-Day – knee)
Magic: Franz Wagner (Out – ankle), Anthony Black (Out – abdomen), Jonathan Isaac (Out – ankle)
Projected Lineups
Raptors: Ja’Kobe Walter, Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl
Magic: Desmond Bane, Tristan da Silva, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
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