Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic
Records: Raptors (54-23); Magic (38-39)
Where to Watch
Date: April 1
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: TSN 4
Radio: TSN 1050
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Game Preview
MORE: Five takeaways from the Toronto Raptors' 124-101 win over the Chicago Bulls
The Raptors look to get a split of their four-game season series with the Orlando Magic Monday night.
The Magic have beaten Toronto now two times in a row and in both wins dominated the Raptors on the glass. So far in the three previous games, the Magic have outrebounded Toronto 161-126. Orlando has won the rebound count in all three games, including Toronto’s lone win back in November.
It will be interesting to see how Toronto contains the Magic on the boards with a full roster. As we head to the playoffs, winning the rebounding battle will be key for the Raptors if they plan on making a long postseason run.
A win or a Philadelphia 76ers’ loss on Monday will give the Raptors their sixth Atlantic Division title in franchise history. It will also clinch at least a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic are currently 0.5 games back of the Miami Heat for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. According to basketball reference, they have a 73.4% chance of making the playoffs. The Heat hold a 48.5% chance. With just four games left after Monday’s contest for the Magic, a win could go a long way for them in their quest for a playoff spot.
Notes
- The Raptors currently trail the season-series 2-1 and have not dropped a series to the Magic since the 2011-12 season. The last time Toronto and Orlando split a season-series was 2016-17.
- The Raptors are 8-7 against the four teams that have secured playoff berths (Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Boston and Indiana).
- Kyle Lowry ranks second in the NBA in assists per game (8.8). He has recorded 10 or more assists 25 times this season. He has an opportunity to become the third player in franchise history to average 9.0 assists in a season, along with Damon Stoudamire (9.3, 1995-96) and Mark Jackson (9.2, 2000-01).
- Kawhi Leonard has led the Raptors in scoring, either outright or tied, in 45 games this season - the most by a player in his first season with Toronto. Damon Stoudamire held the previous high leading the team in scoring 35 times as a rookie in 1995–96.
Last Time They Played
Date: Feb 24, 2019
Score: Magic 113, Raptors 98
Raptors: Kyle Lowry — 19 points, 10 assists, four steals, four rebounds
Magic: Terrence Ross — 28 points, nine rebounds
