Raptors at Magic
The Toronto Raptors have made strides offensively this season while moving backward on the other end of the court, allowing almost 110 points per game over the last six contests. The Raptors hope to begin turning things around defensively Sunday night when they visit the Orlando Magic, one of the league’s worst offenses statistically despite a recent surge.
Toronto dropped a 125-121 decision to Atlanta at home on Friday as the Raptors were outrebounded 58-40 and allowed 53.5 percent shooting overall – 44.0 from 3-point range. “I’ll always believe in it because I know that you’ve got the play some semblance of defense to win big in this league,” Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters of his team that finished third in the league in scoring defense last season and stood 14th through Friday. “To play for something important, you’ve got to have defensive focus.” The Magic entered Saturday tied for 27th in the league in scoring, but have averaged 117.5 points in the last four games. Orlando won just two of those, including a 118-111 triumph over Brooklyn at home Friday.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, TSN2 (Toronto), FSN Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (18-8): Guard DeMar DeRozan continues his outstanding season by scoring at least 30 points in three straight games, pushing his seasonal average to 28.3 – third best in the league through Friday. Backcourt partner Kyle Lowry is just as hot the last 10 games while averaging 24.2 points and draining 61.8 percent from 3-point range (47-of-76) in that span. Center Jonas Valanciunas is averaging 12.3 points and 9.5 rebounds overall, recording three double-doubles in the last six contests, but is scoring 8.7 per game in his career versus Orlando.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (12-16): Leading scorer Evan Fournier is averaging 23 points over the last four contests and provided 11 straight for Orlando after the game was tied at 106-106 on Friday. “He’s done that before, where he hasn’t been shooting the basketball well but he still has confidence to make big shots down the stretch,” Magic coach Frank Vogel told reporters. “He’s a big reason why we pulled away with the victory.” Point guard Elfrid Payton has also raised his level of play the last three contests while averaging 15 points – 26 versus Atlanta -- 9.3 assists and just 1.3 turnovers.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Raptors have won 13 of the last 14 meetings, with the only Magic win in that stretch coming at home last November.
2. Toronto G Cory Joseph is averaging 15 points in his last two contests after going 4-for-15 from the field in the previous two.
3. Orlando C Nikola Vucevic registered 21 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks Friday after missing the previous three games with a back injury.