NBA 2019 playoff primer: Day one tips off with four teams in action
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors:
Other than OG Anunoby suffering an emergency appendectomy the Raptors might be the healthiest they’ve been all season. Or rather, their starting unit is at their healthiest. They arrive at the point in the season which the franchise earmarked this past summer as the only thing that mattered. Toronto is one of only two teams (Bucks) who finished with a top five offense and defense and since the Marc Gasol trade has boasted the most efficient 3-point percentage (41.5%) in the NBA.
That said, this isn’t the typical 2-7 matchup as the Magic finished the season with arguably the greatest improvement. Although they rank 22nd and eighth in offense and defense respectively their post All-Star ranking speaks to the ascent of the squad. To wit, Orlando posted the ninth and fifth ranked offense-defense rating after the break.
Regardless of the Magic’s improvement, they’ll be in tough versus the Raptors who are capable of locking down teams defensively with all their lengthy and athletic players. That could prove problematic for the Magic who’ll have little playoff experience to bring to the court and who can go on long streaks of offensive droughts. ‘
Alternatively, the Magic offer their own lengthy and athletic defenders who were one of the few teams capable of limiting the Most Improved Player (in my opinion) Pascal Siakam. But, Kawhi Leonard will be a handful and when both Siakam and Leonard are firing with Green and Lowry hitting from the perimeter this Raptors squad is potential the most lethal offensively in the Association.
Having only won the opening match twice in their franchise history it’s likely the experience of Leonard and Green will play a major factor. Meanwhile, the Magic can play loose and free with nothing to lose having already exceeded expectations by reaching the postseason.
Nick Nurse will make his playoff debut as a head coach with plenty of experience already having adapted to injuries and using 22 different iterations of starting lineups and navigating 39 cumulative lost games from his two stars, Leonard and Lowry.
Look for the Raptors to exploit the defensive shortcomings of Fournier and Vucevic with emphasis on shutting down the latter on offense via the combination of Gasol and Ibaka.
Raptors Key Stat Categories:
Record: 58-24
Offense: 112.5 (5th)
Defense:106.9 (5th)
Net: plus +5.6 (3rd)
Pace: 100.5 (15th)
Magic Key Stat Categories:
Record: 42-40
Offense: 107.9 (22nd)
Defense: 107.4 (8th)
Net: plus +0.5 (14th)
Pace: 98.8 (23rd)
Game Specifics
The Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
Tipoff: 5:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN, FS Florida (Orlando), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
History:
The Raptors own the all-time record over the Magic with 46 wins in 85 matches. The squads split their four meetings this season. The Magic own the playoff edge with four games to one edge.
Odds:
The oddsmakers give the Raptors the 8.5 point edge with a predicted over/under of 213.0 points.
Raptors Starters
Point Guard: Kyle Lowry
Shooting Guard: Danny Green
Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard
Power Forward: Pascal Siakam
Center: Marc Gasol
Raptors Bench
Point Guard: Fred VanVleet, Jeremy Lin
Shooting Guard: Norman Powell, Jodie Meeks
Small Forward: Malcolm Miller
Power Forward:
Center: Serge Ibaka, Chris Boucher
Injury notes
- Patrick McCaw (thumb) is out likely for the majority of this series
- OG Anunoby underwent an emergency appendectomy which will keep him out for a minimum of two weeks.
Magic Starters
Point Guard: DJ Augustin
Shooting Guard: Evan Fournier
Small Forward: Jonathan Isaac
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
Center: Nikola Vucevic
Magic Bench
Point Guard: Michael Carter-Williams, Jerian Grant
Shooting Guard: Terrence Ross
Small Forward: Wesley Iwundu
Power Forward: Jarell Martin, Amile Jefferson
Center: Khem Birch
Injury notes
- Markelle Fultz diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will miss playoffs
- Isaiah Briscoe suffering from a knee injury, unknown return date
- Mo Bamba had procedure to correct a stress fracture in his left tibia, no timetable for return
- Timofey Mozgov underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, out indefinitely
- Also of note: Vucevic (stomach ailment) and Isaac (concussion protocol) are both expected to play in Game 1.