Before the 2019 NBA Playoffs officially gets underway, here’s a closer look at the first-round matchup between the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic
Records:
Toronto: 58-24
Orlando: 42-40
Regular Season Series:
Tied 2-2
Avg. Score: Magic 107.25, Raptors 99.75
Summary: The Toronto Raptors enter the playoffs knowing that they need to get to the NBA Finals not just to get the critics to stop but also to convince Kawhi Leonard he should stay in Toronto.
The Raptors have been dominant this season when healthy and they won’t have to worry about Leonard sitting out games in the playoffs. The Orlando Magic were another one of the NBA’s best surprises as they not only made the playoffs but also won the Southeast Division.
Stats:
PPG
Raptors: 114.4
Magic: 107.3
OFF RTG
Raptors: 113.1
Magic: 108.9
Pace
Raptors: 100.2
Magic: 98.1
OPP PPG
Raptors: 108.4
Magic: 106.6
DEF RTG
Raptors: 107.1
Magic: 108.1
FG%
Raptors: 47.4
Magic: 45.4
3FG%
Raptors: 36.6
Magic: 35.6
EFG%
Raptors: 54.3
Magic: 51.8
Tov%
Raptors: 12.4
Magic: 11.9
X-Factors:
Raptors: Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is easily the best player in this series and he should be able to showcase his talents. Orlando has some good defenders but it shouldn’t stop Leonard from getting what he wants. Leonard went 2-1 vs the Magic this season but only scored over 20 points one time which was the only game he lost to the Magic.
Magic: Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic had an absolutely outstanding season this year as he averaged 20.8 PPG along with 12.0 RPG. The Magic will need him to put up those numbers and maybe more to have any shot at upsetting the Raptors. In the two wins over Toronto, Vucevic had 30 and 19 as well as 23 and 12.
Prediction: Raptors in 5
Toronto is one of the favorites in the East and they should show it in this series as they are simply the better team.