ECQF | P1 (2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Orlando Magic

[JoeBarryCaroll]

Yo Torontonians, the Leafs won... all is not lost!

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Don't see how you could watch game 1 and be confident in the Magic going forward. Dudes were hitting contested 3's on the Magic, Toronto missing several wide open 3's in the third (same quarter we had the big comeback and took the lead), DJ making tough layups over multiple guys in the paint all game, Vuc not getting any good looks (unless you think a post hook smothered by Gasol is a good shot), Raps stopped Terrance from getting any good 3's off.

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's, or the Raps score higher than 64% from the line, or Kawhi plays more than 32 minutes lol.

Say all that to say, I can't wait for game 2.

[thelead]

Don't see how you could watch game 1 and be confident in the Magic going forward. Dudes were hitting contested 3's on the Magic, Toronto missing several wide open 3's in the third (same quarter we had the big comeback and took the lead), DJ making tough layups over multiple guys in the paint all game, Vuc not getting any good looks (unless you think a post hook smothered by Gasol is a good shot), Raps stopped Terrance from getting any good 3's off.

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's, or the Raps score higher than 64% from the line, or Kawhi plays more than 32 minutes lol.

Say all that to say, I can't wait for game 2.

Do you think that Vuc, Gordon AND Ross will shoot terribly again? Every game is different and the outcome of the next game can’t be determined solely by some outliers of the previous game.

I don’t expect a magic win but I won’t be shocked if it happens.

[ShotCreator]

We’d have to really muck it up to win 3 more times. Toronto is really good defensively. Some reason I’m optimistic though.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Don't see how you could watch game 1 and be confident in the Magic going forward. Dudes were hitting contested 3's on the Magic, Toronto missing several wide open 3's in the third (same quarter we had the big comeback and took the lead), DJ making tough layups over multiple guys in the paint all game, Vuc not getting any good looks (unless you think a post hook smothered by Gasol is a good shot), Raps stopped Terrance from getting any good 3's off.

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's, or the Raps score higher than 64% from the line, or Kawhi plays more than 32 minutes lol.

Say all that to say, I can't wait for game 2.

Do you think that Vuc, Gordon AND Ross will shoot terribly again? Every game is different and the outcome of the next game can’t be determined solely by some outliers of the previous game.

I don’t expect a magic win but I won’t be shocked if it happens.

From watching the game, none of those guys got good looks. Vuc was taking contested post up hooks against Gasol with the occasional PnP jumper, Aaron got almost no good looks other than that timely corner 3 late in the game, Ross got swarmed every time he came off a pick off ball to prevent him from getting good 3's (still made a few contested ones). Unless the Magic come up with a strategy to get those guys better looks, they will continue to shoot poorly because the Raptor defense seemed to hone in on making their lies difficult.

I see the Magic trying for a lot more pick and pops with Vuc (especially since those PnP are what got Augustin space to finish at the basket), but I don't know how else Ross and Aaron will get good looks. You can expect both teams to come out with new strategies after watching film so we'll see

[Mad Guru]

Don't see how you could watch game 1 and be confident in the Magic going forward. Dudes were hitting contested 3's on the Magic, Toronto missing several wide open 3's in the third (same quarter we had the big comeback and took the lead), DJ making tough layups over multiple guys in the paint all game, Vuc not getting any good looks (unless you think a post hook smothered by Gasol is a good shot), Raps stopped Terrance from getting any good 3's off.

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's, or the Raps score higher than 64% from the line, or Kawhi plays more than 32 minutes lol.

Say all that to say, I can't wait for game 2.

Do you think that Vuc, Gordon AND Ross will shoot terribly again? Every game is different and the outcome of the next game can’t be determined solely by some outliers of the previous game.

I don’t expect a magic win but I won’t be shocked if it happens.

From watching the game, none of those guys got good looks. Vuc was taking contested post up hooks against Gasol with the occasional PnP jumper, Aaron got almost no good looks other than that timely corner 3 late in the game, Ross got swarmed every time he came off a pick off ball to prevent him from getting good 3's (still made a few contested ones). Unless the Magic come up with a strategy to get those guys better looks, they will continue to shoot poorly because the Raptor defense seemed to hone in on making their lies difficult.

I see the Magic trying for a lot more pick and pops with Vuc (especially since those PnP are what got Augustin space to finish at the basket), but I don't know how else Ross and Aaron will get good looks. You can expect both teams to come out with new strategies after watching film so we'll see

If you think Ross needs good looks and space to go off you obviously haven't watched him this year.

I am officially warning thread watchers. Terrance Ross WILL go off and there isn't anything anyone can do about it.

[Anticon]

Lots of clueless Raps fans here. Magic are really good and confident in their execution. Are we?

[guess_wh0]

Game Day. Let's go!

Every game is going to be a dog fight. People still haven't realized this is not your typical 2-7 matchup. Since Feb 1st, a 30 game sample, the two teams have been almost identical in record, DefRtg, OffRtg, NetRtg. 3rd & 4th in the league. They're essentially the mirror images of each other. Playoff Kawhi, if that still exists, is the only thing that can give the Raptors a decisive edge. I actually liked the Raptors game plan of taking Vucevic & Ross out of it and let the others beat you. Almost worked but not quite. Still I hope Nurse doesn't make a rookie mistake and defers too far from it. Could be a disaster.

[CantStopTheRock]

Game Day. Let's go!

Every game is going to be a dog fight. People still haven't realized this is not your typical 2-7 matchup. Since Feb 1st, a 30 game sample, the two teams have been almost identical in record, DefRtg, OffRtg, NetRtg. 3rd & 4th in the league. They're essentially the mirror images of each other. Playoff Kawhi, if that still exists, is the only thing that can give the Raptors a decisive edge. I actually liked the Raptors game plan of taking Vucevic & Ross out of it and let the others beat you. Almost worked but not quite. Still I hope Nurse doesn't make a rookie mistake and defers too far from it. Could be a disaster.

Raptors just need to hit some shots. They got more open looks than the Magic and still shot 15% worse from 3pt despite being the better 3pt shooting team. Same goes for FTs

They literally beat themselves with their terrible shooting. Raptors played great defense on the Magic's top guys and even terrible shooters like MCW were 2/3 from 3pt land. Which is production that will likely not be sustained.

The Raptors played a much better game, but if people are hitting 3pters at 48% and you can't capitalize on wide open looks or Ft's then it doesn't matter how much better you are playing in other aspects of the game, you are likely to lose.

I think the Magic win one more game at home, likely with Ross having a big night as even if he is guarded really well he can still go off because he gets so much elevation on his shot and he can get hot.

[The Real Dalic]

We’d have to really muck it up to win 3 more times. Toronto is really good defensively. Some reason I’m optimistic though.

But the Magic are even better defensively. You guys have the major advantage on offense if playoff Lowry goes into regular season form.

[The Real Dalic]

Don't see how you could watch game 1 and be confident in the Magic going forward. Dudes were hitting contested 3's on the Magic, Toronto missing several wide open 3's in the third (same quarter we had the big comeback and took the lead), DJ making tough layups over multiple guys in the paint all game, Vuc not getting any good looks (unless you think a post hook smothered by Gasol is a good shot), Raps stopped Terrance from getting any good 3's off.

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's, or the Raps score higher than 64% from the line, or Kawhi plays more than 32 minutes lol.

Say all that to say, I can't wait for game 2.

Do you think that Vuc, Gordon AND Ross will shoot terribly again? Every game is different and the outcome of the next game can’t be determined solely by some outliers of the previous game.

I don’t expect a magic win but I won’t be shocked if it happens.

From watching the game, none of those guys got good looks. Vuc was taking contested post up hooks against Gasol with the occasional PnP jumper, Aaron got almost no good looks other than that timely corner 3 late in the game, Ross got swarmed every time he came off a pick off ball to prevent him from getting good 3's (still made a few contested ones). Unless the Magic come up with a strategy to get those guys better looks, they will continue to shoot poorly because the Raptor defense seemed to hone in on making their lies difficult.

I see the Magic trying for a lot more pick and pops with Vuc (especially since those PnP are what got Augustin space to finish at the basket), but I don't know how else Ross and Aaron will get good looks. You can expect both teams to come out with new strategies after watching film so we'll see

You clearly haven't watched a Magic game outside of the 4 with Toronto, cause Vuc always takes and makes contested hooks, and Ross. . . Forget it. Since the second half of the season teams have been honing in on him defensively and he's still hitting in their mouths. You don't get the second most 3pt foul shots by being wide open.

[The Real Dalic]

Lots of clueless Raps fans here. Magic are really good and confident in their execution. Are we?

They're clueless when it comes to the Magic for sure, but I think they should be confident in their beastly team. I still have them going to the finals even though I voted Magic in 6 for this thread to support my boys!

[mowcrowbar]

Lots of clueless Raps fans here. Magic are really good and confident in their execution. Are we?

They're clueless when it comes to the Magic for sure, but I think they should be confident in their beastly team. I still have them going to the finals even though I voted Magic in 6 for this thread to support my boys!

I voted for Raps in 5, but the way they shot was very impressive, and I think they could push it to 6.

[CalOrl11]

What is this myth that we shot well? We were ok from 3 but we shot 40% overall. Vuc, Gordon and Ross all shot bad and I doubt that will happen again. Although I doubt Toronto will miss that many open 3s like they did in the first game and despite what some people say, Lowry will be a lot better next game

[Def Swami]

Lowry probably fell ill after a bad pre-game meal.

Read on Twitter

[Ahmed1212]

I got raps in 5. But not an easy 5. I think the Magic are better then the Nets, Pacers, Pistons, and maybe even the Celtics (without smart).

Kawhi has something to prove this playoffs and he's proved in the past he's virtually unstoppable in the playoffs.

Issac will present Siakam problems. Siakam averages 56% FG against Issac 37%. That'll be a key match up if the Magic want to remain competitve.

Good luck Orlando!

Still have raps in 5. But as I mentioned above, there won't be a single easy game in this series. The Magic are good man!

[simple_jack]

Like I've said before. This will be a dog fight series.

Raptors need to step up or lay down. Magic are for real.

Yes they shot the 3 really well but they're best players had bad games. I also think they'll be hard to beat at home.

[Anticon]

Lots of clueless Raps fans here. Magic are really good and confident in their execution. Are we?

They're clueless when it comes to the Magic for sure, but I think they should be confident in their beastly team. I still have them going to the finals even though I voted Magic in 6 for this thread to support my boys!

I voted for Raps in 5, but the way they shot was very impressive, and I think they could push it to 6.

Appropriate fear. Don’t see it among the fans or the Raptors.

Margins will be very slim against Orlando. I don’t know if the organization fully gets that.

Wins, if they come, will be in the 2-5 pt range. That’s how well they match up. Raptors net rating since the trade deadline is 8; theirs is 7.9.

If Nurse doesn’t get that and realize he needs to milk every possession, this series will be very very tough.

[Jadoogar]

Game swings the other way if Kyle hits just 1-2 of his open 3's.

Honestly, game completely swing if Lowry makes his 2 free throws.

[Perseus1966]

if the refs continue to give offensive fouls to Kaawi and Gasol then Raptors will have big big problems.

My opinion Ibaka must score at least 15 and FVV 15 otherwise you must play very good defense