Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic

So we meet again. Finally the Raps get a chance to get back at the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. A lot is different for Toronto but a lot is still the same in terms of how they match up with the Magic. Orlando will still kill Toronto at the wing and one deep threes in the corner but at least this time Chris Bosh will have some help against Superman. Now JO joins the show and that will free up Bosh to do his thing. We liked the new lineup the Raps displayed on Sunday for many reasons. The big three create matchup issues, Hump gets more minutes and Jamario Moon seems to be refocused now he is coming off the bench.

Having Jose Calderon in the lineup will go along way for the Raps in this game. Will Solomon did a great job at home against Miami but expecting the same on the road is a lot to ask. Expect a lot three balls, Dwight Howard eating the backboard and Turkoglu annoying the crap out of all Raps fans watching.

Here is everything you need to know for tonight.

The goods

  • The Magic go for their fourth straight win
  • Dwight Howard was held to a season-low four points, and missed all three of his field-goal attempts on Sunday.
  • Howard is averaging team highs with 21.3 points and 14.0 rebounds, and the center ranks among league leaders with a 60.3 field-goal percentage through his first 10 games.
  • Howard averaged 23.3 points and 16.1 rebounds while shooting 66.4 percent from the field in eight total games against Toronto last season.
  • Toronto showed its offensive depth Sunday despite the absence of point guard Jose Calderon, who is second on the team with 13.5 points per game and ranks among league leaders with 9.0 assists per game.

For bettors

  • Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games
  • Favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
  • Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

Prediction

I don’t see the Raps getting a win in Orlando. Dwight Howard is too much to handle and the Magic are too athletic for Toronto on the wings. Expect a lot of open threes from the Magic. Orlando wins 102-95.

Other links

Doug Smith’s blog - Talking about tonight’s game.
Raptors Republic - O’Neal vs. Howard Pt. 1.
Raptors Talk - Weekly preview of the Raps.
AltRaps - All your daily linkage for the Raptors.
Third Quarter Collapse - Evaluating the Magic after 10 games.

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