The Toronto Raptors will enter this match after five consecutive victories, four of which were achieved at home and one away. In their last game, the Raptors crushed the Knicks, who looked tragic, with a score of 126-98, ending their home game series with an easy walk. Orlando Magic will also enter this match after a victory, which they achieved with a score of 116-104 against one of the weakest teams in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Orlando Magic does not have a good record in meetings with the Raptors and has lost the last three games in a row, including a loss this season with a score of 97-113 in Toronto.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto players currently occupy the 2nd place in the standings and have only one more loss than the conference leaders, the Boston Celtics. Last year's champions are still playing without one of their leaders, Kyle Lowry, and Serge Ibaka, but Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Norman Powell, who shone last season, look much improved this season and ready to take on more important roles, which we are seeing so far. Although the Raptors lost the first quarter in their last game against the Knicks, they finished the second quarter with a score of 37-17 and continued to increase their lead. The Raptors are showing excellent team results and playing visually appealing basketball while maintaining their game plan.
The Toronto team currently ranks 10th in the league in points scored (113.6), 11th in rebounds (46.3), and 9th in assists (25.5) per game. Probably the biggest discovery for the Raptors last season was Pascal Siakam, who is showing even better numbers this season, averaging 26 points and adding 8.4 rebounds per game. Fred VanVleet, who shone in the playoffs, is scoring 18.3 points and making 7.5 assists per game this season, thus perfectly replacing the injured Kyle Lowry.
Another fact demonstrating the excellent execution of the coaching staff's plan is that the Raptors rank 9th in the league in field goal percentage, shooting with an average accuracy of 46.5% and making the most three-pointers in the entire league – 14.5 per game, which is 40.1% of their three-point attempts.
In this match, the team will still be without Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Patrick McCaw, and Stanley Johnson.
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic will enter this match having won an away game for the first time this season. Before that, the Magic players lost seven consecutive away games, but last night they managed to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, finally breaking their away losing streak. The Orlando team currently occupies the 8th place in the Eastern Conference and has a good chance to fight for a playoff spot, although this team is certainly not among the strongest in the league.
Orlando Magic is one of the worst offensive teams in the league, averaging only 102.1 points per game, which is the 29th result in the entire league. The team also ranks only 24th in assists, making 22.4 per game. Although the team does not shine in offense, it is comforting that Magic looks good in defense, allowing an average of 103 points per game.
For yet another season, the most important role in the team is played by Montenegrin Nikola Vučević, who averages 17.1 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Frenchman Evan Fournier is gaining an increasingly important role, averaging 18.4 points per game. Interestingly, Markelle Fultz, who had trouble finding a place in teams and had shooting problems, seems to have found a team where he can flourish – in the Magic ranks, he gets to play more than 20 minutes per game and averages 11.4 points, not spoiling the view on the court.
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Probably the biggest disappointment in the Magic team is Aaron Gordon, who, although considered the nominal team leader entering this season, averages only 13 points and 6 rebounds. Much more was expected from this player, considering that the Western Conference is really weak and there are no prominent stars in the team, so Gordon had many opportunities to shine and earn star status.
In this match, the team will still be without Nikola Vučević and Aaron Gordon.
Prediction
Although the Orlando team finally achieved an away victory and should enter this match in high spirits, the Raptors team cannot be compared to their previous opponents. Last year's champions are showing excellent team play and have a clearly defined leader in Pascal Siakam, whom Magic will have absolutely no one to stop with Gordon out. The Magic team ranks only 28th in the entire league in points scored, so if their shooting falters, the Raptors will likely break the game and pull ahead uncatchably. The Raptors have been playing steadily this season without notable slumps, so they will be the undisputed favorites in this match and should handle the struggling Orlando team.
