ECQF | P2 (2) Toronto Raptors vs (7) Orlando Magic

[Kabookalu]

Magic coaching staff should tell Isaac to stop taking so many 3 point shots, that is not his game (yet). His constant bricking of 3's was killing whatever little momentum the Magic could muster.

Best advice for Isaac is to work on his 3 point shot in the off-season.........and not in the NBA playoffs.

Orlando had no choice. Raptors were shutting down Vucevic, didn't let Augustin breathe. It unfairly puts the onus on the other guys to do something.

[Statlanta]

Not watching the game, how did the Raps shut down Vuc like that?

It was more the help defense. Look at how Siakam, Kawhi and the others dug at the ball at every post up. Getting proper help defense in a must win situation from former All-D players and the MIP is just a tough situation when you never been in the playoffs.

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Is Ross injured? he was scorching in the 1st.

Ross in a gif

[UnbelievablyRAW]

Not watching the game, how did the Raps shut down Vuc like that?

It was more the help defense. Look at how Siakam, Kawhi and the others dug at the ball at every post up. Getting proper help defense in a must win situation from former All-D players and the MIP is just a tough situation when you never been in the playoffs.

Regardless, this is what Raptors fans have been saying and I was quoted 5 times saying I’ve never seen the Magic if I think we can hold Vuc to multiple bad games. Gasol was the main reason Vuc was completely shut down and I don’t see that changing because the Magic have gotten him zero good looks this series

[Section_306]

He tends to struggle against bigger, wider players. And when he struggles from the jump, he gets frustrated and makes mistake after mistake. He could have big games in Orlando, but Gasol is too big and strong for him.

Just watching the boxscore Gasol didn´t seem to have a good game, but then i saw Nicola´s...

you can't just look at the boxscore for Gasol...you need to look at advanced stats to understand his impact on both sides of the floor

or actually watch the bloody game lol

[mowcrowbar]

Is Ross injured? he was scorching in the 1st.

Ross in a gif

I credit our closeout on the screens as he couldn't even get in position for an attempt in the second half.

[NinjaBro]

Not watching the game, how did the Raps shut down Vuc like that?

[Basketball_Jones]

Game 3 will probably be close imo. Wouldn’t be surprised at another Orlando win. I’m thinking it’ll be 2-2 heading back to Toronto.

[durden_tyler]

Game 3 will probably be close imo. Wouldn’t be surprised at another Orlando win. I’m thinking it’ll be 2-2 heading back to Toronto.

Orlando already performed their best (With the fluke Game 1 win) so easier to see Toronto winning both on the road and closing it out in Game 5. The Magic are just not very good.

[B-Ball Freak]

Great bounce back game by the Raptors, Lowry played like we all know he can. Bring that same energy and focus in Orlando and get that home court advantage back.

Toronto has the 3 best players out of 5 in the series. Should have been a easy sweep but game 1 was weird.
Game 2 was what it should have been the entire series.

That's a bit dismissive...

I mean while I do think the Raps should have it in them to control the series, tonight was a completely dominant win. That kind of performance certainly can't be expected for an entire series.

Our team was very locked in defensively which would be amazing if they could be like that on a nightly basis but I wouldn't count on it. The Raps were likely emotionally charged since they're pissed off that they lost HCA/1st game so they really got after them -- it's gonna be hard to sustain that level of intensity. But I do suspect though our effort will remain higher because guys got too see that we can completely stifle them if we lock in and it's what can give us the edge.

But ORL will make some adjustments to get some better looks that they should obviously be more competitive than a 30pt loss. They'll find ways to close that gap and it's why our defense is going to be very important because if don't lock in they can easily start getting some momentum back. Have to "keep that same energy" going into Game 3 but again don't expect the Ws to come that easy.

I voted Raps in 6 and I'm sticking to it, this is going to be a grind.

[RookieStar]

Congrats on the win Raps, as expected you came out swinging for the revenge game.

Now its on to Orlando... Hope the magic protect home court. I said this series the Raps will win in 6.. but maybe I should change it to 7. lol

[Bankai]

Sure the Magic didnt win Game 2, but their job was to steal Homecourt, which they did. They still feel fine moving forward.

Raptors came out on fire this game looking to prove they were the better team period. They did, now they gotta keep it going.

Both teams moving onto Game 3 can take plenty of positives from the first 2 Games. The Raptors need Homecourt back though.

[orlando_joe]

Vucevic with 6 points on 3/7 shooting...are Magic fans going to give Marc "Vucevic stopper" Gasol credit now?

vuc stopped himself...lol...Gasol was great don't get me wrong...now can raptors let him play 1 on one ...since Gasol so great why the double teams so fast?? and all time? please vuc looked awful, scared ,weak not up to game at all ..not even getting in paint ..playing like he just does not want to get hurt...not looking good for payday..

[ratul]

Orlando is good and raps really have to bring that type of energy to beat them.

[LBJKB24MJ23]

Vucevic with 6 points on 3/7 shooting...are Magic fans going to give Marc "Vucevic stopper" Gasol credit now?

vuc stopped himself...lol...Gasol was great don't get me wrong...now can raptors let him play 1 on one ...since Gasol so great why the double teams so fast?? and all time? please vuc looked awful, scared ,weak not up to game at all ..not even getting in paint ..playing like he just does not want to get hurt...not looking good for payday..

lol why let him play one on one? That’s the dumbest thing you can do. He dominates in the regular season because he doesn’t get double teamed enough. You stop Vuc, you have a really good chance of winning. Any good coach knows that this Orlando team can be shut down if you shut down Vuc. Make Orlando a jump shooting team, like any other team, and you have a good chance of winning.

Orlando can’t do anything about it tbh. Gasol spreads him out on defense too. Vuc can’t be effective down low offensively or defensively. Taking Vuc out of his comfort zone has been the game plan and is working. make Isaac and Gordon jump shooters.



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[guess_wh0]

To be fair, Clifford hasn't really tried to get Vucevic going. They should be running more PnR's. Maybe some lobs. Anything to get him some easy buckets. I expect that to happen in game 3. Clifford also hasn't tried double teaming Kawhi yet. Toronto has with Vucevic. Expect to see a lot of that in Game 3 as well. But unless Orlando can generate some offense, this will be a short series. Home court advantage notwithstanding.

[Ugly0598]

Orlando might be able to win a game at home, but Toronto looked great in game 2.

But Vucevic has been really disappointing.

[nikster]

To be fair, Clifford hasn't really tried to get Vucevic going. They should be running more PnR's. Maybe some lobs. Anything to get him some easy buckets. I expect that to happen in game 3. Clifford also hasn't tried double teaming Kawhi yet. Toronto has with Vucevic. Expect to see a lot of that in Game 3 as well. But unless Orlando can generate some offense, this will be a short series. Home court advantage notwithstanding.

Yeah that will be there issue. We’ve shut down Fournier and Vuc through 2 games. Hopefully game 2 is a sign raptors figured out Augustine and Ross is inconsistent. Gonna be hard for then to get enough points out of the rest of the roster if Raps keep this up

[Neutral 123]

This is the level of defensive intensity the raptors need to play at to get out of the east. This was it. With their personnel they are contenders because they can defend at this level.

It isn't necessary to beat the Magic but it will be necessary going forward. Might as well start doing it now. Orlando can't win again when the raptors play that hard defensively. They were pretty much reduced to tough shots from Gordon and Ross.

[Ramed Nazored]

Congrats on the win Raps, as expected you came out swinging for the revenge game.

Now its on to Orlando... Hope the magic protect home court. I said this series the Raps will win in 6.. but maybe I should change it to 7. lol

Who's the babe in your avatar? That shake.....