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

[thelead]

Underrated point. We all joke about WeHam and their obsession with length, but damn, I guess they aren’t so dumb after all, huh?

Clifford made a pretty interesting point about this in his post game presser.

“We have length and we have versatility. There’s a lot of defensive possessions we don’t have to be perfect and we still stay out of rotations. It helps a lot.”

Clifford's always going to stress defensive fundamentals; positioning, communication, etc. But the fact that Isaac and Gordon specifically are so long and so versatile, the Magic are rarely forced into a straight up scramble situation in the halfcourt which is huge.

Being able to help and recover like that is such a luxury.

Which is why I don’t buy into the ‘one of JI or AG have to go’ thinking. They just need to get more consistent jumpers (and both are well on their way to that) to be able to play together. Now, if one of them can learn how to drive the ball effectively, we’re golden with those two.

[Bensational]

Thanks mate, but I've been back for a short while. I've been a bit of a bad hombre the last few months. Just got access to my OG account back though.

Thats a plot twist If ive ever seen one

Looking forward to the pepe/Ben back and forth's

When I logged back into this account I discovered I've got him blocked. I'm gonna keep it that way.

But, I'll still call him on his bull when need be.

[OrlDave]

Question: Who will step up and become our playoff stars? In the old days it was Jameer suddenly becoming a 20ppg guy, and Turk and Lewis becoming cold blooded killers.

Who are we feeling will find their groove in the playoffs. I can see Ross, Fournier and DJ getting up more shots. If this Hornet's game is any indication, AG is warmed up and ready to go already, but he'll have his hands full trying to contain Kawhi/Siakam.

So pumped to see these guys play!

The guy wearing 14 of course. You had the answer all along

[Magic4champ]

Playoffs experience like hostile atmosphere, referees non call and the physicality of the defense. These maybe 3 factors that can frustrate our young guns who needs to understand about the dynamics of the game. There will be a lot of drama on the sideline but our team should be laser focused on their individual task and assigned duty given by coach Clifford. Hopefully coach can sell to his team the plan that can upset the nos 2 seed.

Honestly, we've already dealt with **** officiating. It's not going to get THAT much worse unless the refs decide to give Toronto a free throw attempt boost. We've dealt with physical play (Boston, Miami, Indiana, Detroit, Memphis), some games were better than others, but we've seen it already. I lost track of how many times Augustin got sent to the deck with no call.

The fan atmosphere and how we'll react is the unknown. But we tend to do better with engaged crowds than half-empty arenas, if the last few months have indicated anything.

Toronto is going to have to beat us. If we keep our turnovers down and don't foul too much like we've done much of this season, the Raptors are going to literally have to defeat us. And if they do, I can live with that.

Great win Magic! Glorious day to be a Magic fan now. You called it right the young guns JI, Iwundu and MCW showed poise and composure despite the hostile atmosphere and the non calls/ bad calls.

[Blue_and_Whte]

Read on Twitter

[RookieStar]

Also.. are we using this thread for game 2 or we locking thia and making a new one?

[MagicStarwipe]

I watched the ESPN broadcast but I'm going to go back and watch the Fox Sports broadcast too. Gotta see how David and Jeff react to the game.

[GelbeWand09]

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.

Yea and after those 2 fantastic defended circus shots Siakam made in the beginning, Isaac dominated the matchup again for me. Siakam scored mostly on other guys or a pic was involved. One on One he coudnt do anything against Isaac. I'm so proud of the guy. My few posts here where defending him in the offseason against the DSJ crowd. Always said DSJ gonna be a minus players his whole career and Isaac's worst case is a freaking 7ft 3-D guy every contender would kill for to have. Haven't seen a guy that tall, moving his feets so good on defense, since young KG.

[pepe1991]

3 of 4 games were upsets

[Jiwol]

Just finished watching this game. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! I'm so pumped!

[Nyce_1]

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

It was a no brainer. With Gasol out there, you knew they'd go at him in a PnR. If you call timeout, they get Ibaka back in.

Cliff is awesome.

[Nyce_1]

Also.. are we using this thread for game 2 or we locking thia and making a new one?

I suggest using the same thread. Keep the good juju going.

[Optimus_Steel]

I watched the ESPN broadcast but I'm going to go back and watch the Fox Sports broadcast too. Gotta see how David and Jeff react to the game.

Watch the intro of Fox Sports. Fantastic.

[p0peye]

Read on Twitter

I've watched this shot over and over again, great performance by DJ, he deserves all the praise he gets now. Vučević had a terrible offensive night, but nevertheless he creates such gravity on high pick, which enabled DJ to have a clear look.

[Anti Chalmers]

I watched the ESPN broadcast but I'm going to go back and watch the Fox Sports broadcast too. Gotta see how David and Jeff react to the game.

Anyway to see the highlights with fox sports instead of espn?

[djguevara114]

I have been a long, long time reader on this forum... Decided to actually start posting... Did I read that you all bought a suite for Game 3? Is there, by chance, still an opening for me to join/contribute?

[RookieStar]

Also.. are we using this thread for game 2 or we locking thia and making a new one?

I suggest using the same thread. Keep the good juju going.

Can we keep this thread below 100pages before game 2 then?

[rcklsscognition]

I must have watched highlights from the game now about 10 times. Vuc, Fournier, and AG were trash on offense but came up with big 3s to make a difference and we still got the W. But shoutout to JI, played a game high 40 minutes.

[Bergmaniac]

What a great win. I think the key for the game apart from DJ's God mode was that we managed to defend well without fouling all game. Raptors only shot 14 FTs which is fantastic for us given how much Kawhi and Siakam were driving and trying to force the issue. Siakam had 24 shots and zero FTs. Great job by our frontcourt on staying disciplined defensively. It helped that the refs were allowing more physical play and we took advantage.

Amazing that we won despite Vuc, Evan, AG and Ross all shooting terribly. MCW's buckets were a big help, and the bench as a whole defended beautifully. So did pretty much everyone.

[tiderulz]

What a great win. I think the key for the game apart from DJ's God mode was that we managed to defend well without fouling all game. Raptors only shot 14 FTs which is fantastic for us given how much Kawhi and Siakam were driving and trying to force the issue. Siakam had 24 shots and zero FTs. Great job by our frontcourt on staying disciplined defensively. It helped that the refs were allowing more physical play and we took advantage.

Amazing that we won despite Vuc, Evan. AG and Ross all shooting terribly. MCW's buckets were a big help, and the bench as a whole defended beautifully. So did pretty much everyone.

this is key. defending without fouling. very few And 1's. you could tell the team was coaching to stand tall with arms raised, not to go for the blocks and foul. yes, Siakam scored 24 pts, but also took 24 shots. Clifford had a great game plan and the team executed it. We won't shoot that way from 3 again, but hopefully we dont shoot that way from 2 either.