Toronto Raptors vs Orlando Magic: Lineups, preview & prediction 2/28/18


After a stinging overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks that ended a seven-game winning streak, the Raptors (42-17) took out their frustrations by flattening the Detroit Pistons 123-94 on Monday night. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry scored 20 points apiece and Serge Ibaka added 19 as Toronto drilled 17 3-pointers and outscored Detroit 64-41 in the final two quarters.

Toronto have shot 36.8 percent or better from 3-point range in seven of their last nine games, making an average of 14.3 3-pointers in that span. The Raptors have averaged 117.1 points during this stretch, shooting 49.1 percent overall. Toronto lead Boston by one-half game for both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference lead.

Orlando (18-42) are at the other end of the standings, with only Atlanta between them and the cellar of the Eastern Conference. The Magic are mired in their fourth losing streak of at least six games this season, hitting that mark again following Monday night's 112-105 defeat at Oklahoma City.

Jonathan Simmons and Evan Fournier each scored 19 points as Orlando's starting five accounted for 81 points, but the reserves were outscored 48-24. The Magic have shot an impressive 42.1 percent from 3-point range in their last four games, but their lack of defense all season continues to undermine them. Orlando have yielded an average of 111.3 points on this current skid, getting outscored 106-81 in points off turnovers.

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