Playing like it was a game 7, The Toronto Raptors tore the heart out of the Orlando Magic, defeating them 115-96 to take their round one series in five games. Toronto had never won a series in less than six games and never by so many combined points (72), so this is one for the record books.
The Raptors started the game with a determination that was awesome – up 35-19 at the end of the first quarter, they extended that to 67-47 at the half and never looked back. Led by Kawhi Leonard (27 points including 5-5 from the arc) who was unstoppable at both ends of the floor, Pascal Siakam added 24 points and Kyle Lowry contributed 14.
Also, Centre Marc Gosal shut down Orlando’s all star Nikola Vucevic who seemed only able to score decisively when Gasol was off the court. Raptors fans can certainly be proud of their team and hopes are high as Toronto moves on to the Eastern semi-finals against the 76ers who won their series over Brooklyn 4-1.
The sixers are a rougher, tougher and better team than the Magic, so the Raptors need to bring their A-game for 48 minutes in every game if they want to advance to the Eastern Championship between either Milwaukee (probably in my opinion) or Boston. GO RAPTORS.
