It is a battle of Eastern Conference teams in the National Basketball Association on Friday. The Orlando Magic are at the Toronto Raptors. Orlando is 38-28 coming into this game. The Magic are fifth in the East, but just ½ game behind fourth seeded New York. Orlando is 1.5 up on Philadelphia. The Magic are coming off a home win over the Nets on Wednesday.
For the Raptors, they have dropped five straight games. The Raptors fell to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Toronto is 12th in the East with a 23-43 record and 6.5 games out of a postseason spot. Toronto is 3-7 in their last 10 games, and 13-29 when playing at home this season.
Orlando is -6.5 on the road here. The total is 223.5.
Tough Season in Toronto
Things have not gone as planned for the Toronto Raptors this season. In March, the Raptors are 1-6. The Raptors beat the Hornets at home, but have since dropped five straight games. The losses have seen poor defense, as they have 120+ in four of the five games.
The defense for the Raptors has been a struggle all season, as they are allowing teams to score 118.2 per game. The offense for Toronto has been led by several different guys, with Pascal Siakam and OG Anuonby both traded mid-season. Scottie Barnes is also out for Toronto. RJ Barrett is the current leading scorer, but did not play in the loss on Wednesday.
Toronto is at Orlando on Sunday, and then will come back home for back to back games. The Raptors will welcome the Kings to town on Wednesday and the Thunder on Friday.
Magic Battling
The Orlando Magic have been battling all season. Orlando is 5th in the East, and right in the mix to host the first round of the postseason. The Magic are scoring 110.7 points per game, and allowing teams to score 109.3 per game. In March, Orlando is 4-2, with losses to the Knicks and Pacers. In those two losses, they averaged just 85.5 points per game.
The Magic offense is anchored by former Duke Blue Devils star Paolo Banchero. He is scoring more than 22 points per game on the season. Franz Wagner is second with 20 points per game. Jalen Suggs is third for the Magic, with 12.3.
Orlando will host the Raptors on Sunday to start a nice long eight game home stand. This is the final road game for the Magic until April 3rd in New Orleans. During the home stand, the Magic will host Toronto, Charlotte, New Orleans, Sacramento, Golden State, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis and Portland.
Raptors Compete at Home
The Orlando Magic need to find ways to win games like this. The Magic want to have home court advantage in the Eastern Conference postseason, and they have a chance to get there. The Magic are going to need to play strong basketball down the stretch to grab the 4th seed in the East.
Look for Toronto to battle here. In fact, the Raptors cover the spread at home. But, in the end, the Magic get the job done and win this game. Bet Toronto +6.5 over the Orlando Magic on Friday!
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