The Orlando Magic will try to sustain their playoff push, traveling north of the Border Friday to take on the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Fresh off a surgical win over the Brooklyn Nets to snap a two-game losing skid on Wednesday, the Magic will be taking on a Raptors team that dropped their last five games and seven of their last eight.
All eyes will be on the Magic’s star Paolo Banchero, who had a near-flawless shooting night in Orlando two days ago. The reigning Rookie of the Year shot 6-for-6 from the field and 8-for-9 from the free throw line to finish with 21 points and 9 assists.
idk i feel like this is pretty good @Pp_doesit x @SASsoftware https://t.co/OGDyRxZzw9 pic.twitter.com/V4bEsIsakP
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 14, 2024
The Magic’s formidable starting frontcourt of Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. makes this team a nightmare matchup against any NBA squad. Wagner is averaging a career-high 20.4 points per game on 47 FG% while Carter Jr. is contributing 11.6 points on 53.6 FG%.
After trading Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, the Raptors officially started a youth revolution with Scotty Barnes and RJ Barrett being the team’s cornerstones in the coming years.
These two players won’t be suiting up for the Raptors on Friday. Barnes, averaging 19 ppg in his first All-Star season, is recovering from a hand injury. Barrett, who the Raptors traded for in the Anunoby trade, is mourning the death of his younger brother.
game 67 in The 6
????: @Raptors
????: Toronto, Ontario
????: 7:30 P.M.
????: @BallySportsFL (pregame at 7 P.M.)
????: @969gameon pic.twitter.com/1pZSvEtVoa— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 15, 2024
The Magic have already beaten the Raptors in the first meeting this season on November 20. Banchero scored 25 points in that game and Jalen Suggs added 18 to give their team a commanding 126-107 win at home.
Orlando will play against the same team on Monday to begin their 8-game home team.
THE CONVERSATION.