The Raptors dismantling of the Magic on Tuesday had the U.S. media fawning over their defensive prowess and explaining why they are the favourites in their second-round matchup with the Sixers, writes DaveZarum.
set the NBA’s first round on fire, the Toronto Raptors dispatched the Orlando Magic in dominant fashion, cruising to a 31-7 first-quarter lead and never looking back, winning 115-96 and advancing to the second round in five games.
After dropping the opening game in the series, the Raptors were angry at their defensive effort, a rage that fueled a four-game rally — capped by the clincher in Game 5 on Tuesday, a 115-96 win — in which they decimated the Orlando Magic with their defense.
Of particular focus was the potential matchup between Kawhi Leonard and Ben Simmons, whom Leonard has pressured to the tune of 24 turnovers against the Raps during the regular season.“I guarantee you Ben Simmons is worried about Kawhi Leonard. He’s in his head.”Orlando Sentinel — Magic get blown out of the playoffs, but, hey, at least they were in the playoffs
The troubling part is the Magic swore they would come up to the Great White North and leave everything out on the floor in this elimination game, but that downtown Easter Bunny put up a better fight than the Magic did Tuesday night.
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