Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors: Recreation Preview – NBA.com

Pregame Report from AdventHealth Coaching Heart
ORLANDO – Within the NBA, there’s no place fairly like house.
The Orlando Magic have made probably the most of their time within the Metropolis Stunning throughout their 2023-24 marketing campaign, going a formidable 22-8 on the Kia Heart ground.
Now, the Magic (39-28) will try and capitalize on a season-long eight-game, 16-day homestand, which begins on Sunday towards the Toronto Raptors (23-44) at 6 p.m. ET.
The matchup will mark the second straight outing for the Magic towards the Raptors, as the 2 groups tipped off a home-and-home collection on Friday in Toronto. Orlando got here out on prime in that one by outmuscling its neighbors to the north on its strategy to securing a 113-103 victory.
“You wish to make your presence felt each time you step on the courtroom – personally and as a workforce,” mentioned Magic guard Jalen Suggs. “Embracing the physicality. They mentioned they’ll let the sport be extra bodily. We try to get to that. Actually embracing that and taking part in that method. And preparing for these video games in April. From watching it and listening to it, that’s the way it will get (within the playoffs). One, getting used to doing it and two, getting used to taking part in towards it.”
Whereas Orlando emerged with a triumph in Toronto, there are definitely some areas that it want to clear up heading into this outing. On Friday, the Raptors completed with 37 quick break factors – 24 greater than the Magic – and knocked down a scorching 41.2 p.c of their makes an attempt from lengthy distance. Gary Trent Jr. led Toronto’s offensive assault, firing off a season-high 31 factors.
“They’re a tricky workforce,” mentioned Suggs of a shorthanded Raptors squad that’s misplaced six straight contests. “They’ve guys who are usually not getting a ton of publicity. They’re not profitable a bunch proper now. However they’ve basketball gamers on that workforce. They’ve guys which can be good and guys that I respect.”
The Magic have achieved an exceptional job this season of respecting their opponent no matter their file. Orlando is 24-6 towards groups with present sub-.500 data this season and is an ideal 13-0 at Kia Heart towards that stage of competitors.
“Now we have to have the fitting mindset coming into Sunday,” mentioned Magic ahead Franz Wagner, who led six Orlando gamers in double figures with 19 factors on Friday. “And each sport, actually. Each sport issues for us. I feel our method was strong (in Toronto). I believed the Raptors fought actually laborious and performed a fairly good sport. Now we have to be just a little bit higher on Sunday.”
IN AND OUT: The Magic have a clear invoice of well being, and everybody is accessible for his or her contest towards the Raptors.
For Toronto, Scottie Barnes (left hand; fracture; third metacarpal), RJ Barrett (private causes), Chris Boucher (proper knee; partial tear; MCL), DJ Carton (proper ankle; sprain), Mouhamadou Gueye (G League – Two-Approach), and Jakob Poeltl (left hand; torn ligament; fifth finger) are out.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Now we have to proceed to enhance (in that space). A few of that’s shot high quality. We missed a ton on the rim, so that they have been capable of get these fast leak outs. They’re operating make or miss, so we’ve got to be sure that’s a heightened focus. Now we have to get again and make them play within the half courtroom.” – Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley on trying to restrict the Raptors’ quick break factors on Sunday
KEY STATS: The Magic hope the luck of the Irish is with them on Sunday. They’ve an all-time file of Sept. 11 on Saint Patrick’s Day. Orlando is 6-3 at house and 3-8 on the highway when taking part in in the course of the vacation.
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