clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Game Thread: Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic

From a basketball drought to an overflow of action, the Raptors hit the hardwood again tonight. It’s their third game in five days, but the NBA Bubble must go on.

By Muad Issa
Toronto Raptors v Orlando Magic Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

If you haven’t had a chance to stay up to date with the Raptors and their record since the NBA’s bubble action started, to be blunt: they’re on fire. Being touted by our American media counterparts as the “best team in the bubble so far” won’t get to Toronto’s collective head, but it is less fun not being the underdogs.

Still, the Raptors know they still have a ways to go and plenty left to prove as one of the most successful sports organizations of the past five years. After setting the tone from the get-go with a statement win over the Lakers in their first game, defense prevailed in their second, as the Raps withstood the Heat. Six games now remain before the Raptors’ post-season.

But now we look ahead to the hometown not-so-favourite Orlando Magic, in what could potentially be a first-round playoff preview. After opening with two wins, the Magic picked up their first loss of the restart only a day ago against the Pacers. The 120-109 outcome was not a complete surprise, given the loss of the Magic’s budding star Jonathan Isaac.

After suffering an unfortunate ACL tear against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, Issac is out for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile, the Magic’s Michael Carter-Williams was earlier listed as day-to-day, but has now been ruled out of tonight’s game against the Raptors.

Trending away from regular season woes, the Raptors continue to stay healthy for the most part. Still, Patrick McCaw has been listed as inactive again for the Raptors. He and Oshae Brissett will sit out of tonight’s game due to knee soreness.

With the stage set, here’s everything else you need to know — along with Satbir Singh’s preview from this morning.

Where to Watch

Sportsnet One, 8 PM ET

Lineups

Toronto – Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol

Orlando – D.J. Augustin, Evan Fournier, James Ennis III, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic

Injuries

Toronto – Patrick McCaw (knee – out), Oshae Brissett (knee – out)

Orlando – Al-Farouq Aminu (knee – out), Michael Carter-Williams (foot – out), Jonathan Isaac (torn ACL – out)

More From Raptors HQ