Playoffs G1: Orlando Magic (7) @ Toronto Raptors (2) - The Second Dinosaur Extinction

[Audi]

Absolutely. Just look at the attention he's getting on DJ's game winner... 42% 3pt shooter left open.



Hopefully we figure out how to get Vuc, Ross and AG going next game... Raps are playing some tough interior defense and daring others to step up. DJ having such a big game and the team grinding out a win could open it up for our key guys next game.

I think that particular play was just miscommunication, but he did help us out with drawing attention. However he must do better when he is guarded one on one. Gasol is a tough matchup for him.

it was tough for vuc this game, the refs were just letting gasol push vuc off his spot but calling touch fouls on the other end. sure you can jostle for position on the block but gasol was doing extra and not getting called for it.....i mean damn at one point gasol literally had his knee on vuc's back...i mean come on

Correct. Saw this multiple times. Gasol would’ve fouled out by the half if this game were called like any normal regular season game (for a team other than ours).

[thelead]

Absolutely. Just look at the attention he's getting on DJ's game winner... 42% 3pt shooter left open.



Hopefully we figure out how to get Vuc, Ross and AG going next game... Raps are playing some tough interior defense and daring others to step up. DJ having such a big game and the team grinding out a win could open it up for our key guys next game.

I think that particular play was just miscommunication, but he did help us out with drawing attention. However he must do better when he is guarded one on one. Gasol is a tough matchup for him.

it was tough for vuc this game, the refs were just letting gasol push vuc off his spot but calling touch fouls on the other end. sure you can jostle for position on the block but gasol was doing extra and not getting called for it.....i mean damn at one point gasol literally had his knee on vuc's back...i mean come on

The refs were frustratingly inconsistent and let Toronto get away with a ton of grabbing and shoving. It nearly cost us the game.

[zuppafly]

What a win.. so happy for the guys!

[MagicFan101]

No offense, but the only way you STEAL a game or "two" is if our entire starting lineup gets injured in the first 5 minutes of game 1. While i appreciate blind optimism, the talent difference between the two teams is so massive (not to mention depth and playoff experience), that it would take a meltdown of unparalleled proportions for the Raptors to lose more than 1 game in this series.

[PrimeThyme]

One last one before I go to bed (2AM!)

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Good night fellow Magic fans! This was fun.

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Game 3 is about to be so lit. With how the last 7 years have gone it's easy to forget just how much this city embraces the team. So happy to be playing meaningful games in April again.

[MagicFrenchie]

The meltdown on the raps board is priceless regarding how some of their fans have been **** on our team befor the tip off.

[PrimeThyme]

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LOL I'm all for this John Denton

[pepe1991]

Clifford's preparation was on point.
Vučević , just like whole frontcourt didn't do much, but dragged enough attention from DJ.
Through 3rd quater things got shaky where it's clear that team needs secundary ballhandler, but we survived.

Lowry was simply pathetic, but that's not first time for him in playoffs. I kind a expect to see Jeremy Lin in rotation next game. Vleet had 1 assist at PG playing 27 min

[Optimus_Steel]

The numbers Pascal and Kawai put up tonight didn't reflect just how good Isaac/AG played defensively. They really were the difference and nothing came easy. So impressed by both guys..Especially Isaac who didn't look like the moment was too big for him for one second.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

Leonard and Siakam both hit several INCREDIBLY difficult shots over good defense. Tip of the cap to those guys for good shotmaking.

Isaac playing 40 minutes for the first time in his career in his playoff debut brings a tear to my eye.

Cliff coached such a good game. He left Isaac in that fourth quarter for what felt like the first time all season. Showed incredible confidence in him and he came up huge with the 3 and with his defense.

Not calling a time out and letting DJ run the time out and hit the three was also an excellent decision by Cliff as well.

That was a huge decision to not call timeout. That allowed the Magic to exploit Gasol's slowness and DJ essentially got an open 3. Tremendous recognition on the mismatch. Cliff got this team believing.

[MagicFan101]

I think others here have mentioned this but a key stats likely lost in the excitement of the win is that our leader in minutes played tonight was Jonathan Isaac at 40. I don't know how to properly capture the impact he had on the defensive end tonight. Absolutely fantastic.

Someone needs to help this kid figure out how to get to the line more. With the extra plays called for him, the aggression required to cause that and the free throws themselves he could easily be a 20 ppg DPOY.

[shadrock]

I think that particular play was just miscommunication, but he did help us out with drawing attention. However he must do better when he is guarded one on one. Gasol is a tough matchup for him.

it was tough for vuc this game, the refs were just letting gasol push vuc off his spot but calling touch fouls on the other end. sure you can jostle for position on the block but gasol was doing extra and not getting called for it.....i mean damn at one point gasol literally had his knee on vuc's back...i mean come on

Refs give the teams with better records preferential treatment all the time. Its about tv ratings. That's why we have to buckle down and just try and compensate for their bias. A knee to the back is a blatant foul and so is a smack in the face. they wont call it though. Not in Toronto.

Yeah its called cheating.

[VFX]

What a game. The Magic is back!

Welcome back Ben.

[shadrock]

Also think Cliff needs some credit for making the decision to not call timeout on the final play. Was a great decision.

[Dmagic]

Vucevic and Fournier both deserve credit for being mentally tough despite poor play early- on several occasions. What a tough looking team.

[dsg2021]

I think others here have mentioned this but a key stats likely lost in the excitement of the win is that our leader in minutes played tonight was Jonathan Isaac at 40. I don't know how to properly capture the impact he had on the defensive end tonight. Absolutely fantastic.

Someone needs to help this kid figure out how to get to the line more. With the extra plays called for him, the aggression required to cause that and the free throws themselves he could easily be a 20 ppg DPOY.

Amazing catch on that, that's crazy. What a game, and what a win! Let's keep it going, our Orlando Magic!

[dsg2021]

Vucevic and Fournier both deserve credit for being mentally tough despite poor play early- on several occasions. What a tough looking team.

Biggest improvement ORL did in the 2nd half of the season. No doubt about it.

[Driguez]

Nice to see the pages count go up! Hopefully game 2 will see more activity like the olden days.

[Driguez]

Also think Cliff needs some credit for making the decision to not call timeout on the final play. Was a great decision.

Cliff deserves a lot of credit for being in the PO. He's gotten these guys to play. SVG coaching tree.

[OrlandO]

I guess raptor fans don't give out a bunch of and1s when they lose?

[Optimus_Steel]

Cliff said think bigger!