Raptors bully banged-up Magic

Posted by siteadmin
January 23, 2025
Posted in SPORTS
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (left) dribbles against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes in the NBA. (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Reuters photo)
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (left) dribbles against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes in the NBA. (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Reuters photo)

Scottie Barnes had 17 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Orlando Magic, 109-93, yesterday (Philippine time).

RJ Barrett added 19 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors, who have won three of their past four games. Gradey Dick scored 17 points, while Bruce Brown contributed 15 and fellow reserve Kelly Olynyk had 12 to go along with four blocks.

Paolo Banchero had 26 points and 12 boards for the injury-riddled Magic, who have lost four games in a row. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points, Anthony Black chipped in 17 and Wendell Carter, Jr. had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Magic opened the game on a 22-6 run and were up by as many as 21 points before finishing the first quarter with a 37-24 lead.

Toronto started the second quarter with a 13-2 surge before Orlando answered with nine straight points. However, the Raptors put together another run, and they were within 48-45 following a three-point play from Barnes with 40.7 seconds remaining in the first half.

Banchero converted a layup and got fouled at the end of the half but failed to complete a three-point play of his own, leaving the Magic up by five at the break.

Davion Mitchell helped Toronto move in front in the third quarter, canning a three-pointer and assisting on another in addition to making a layup during a 14-3 run that gave Toronto a 65-59 advantage with 5:55 to go. The Raptors’ lead ballooned to 15, 85-70, by the end of the period.

A Carter tip layup had Orlando’s deficit down to 97-85 with 4:24 left in the game, but the hosts rattled off the next nine points to virtually wrap up the win. (Field Level Media / Reuters)

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