Magic lean on 3s to beat Raptors, 106-97, split road trip

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 3, 2025

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Talk to anyone associated with the Magic the past three days and they’d share how important it was for Orlando to start games stronger.

Coach Jamahl Mosley‘s squad answered the call Friday night at Scotiabank Arena when it used a 37-24 start to defeat the Raptors, 106-97, and split a two-game trip.

Despite entering the contest with the lowest 3-point percentage in the NBA (30.6%), the Magic shot 9 of 15 from beyond the arc when they tied the franchise record for most 3s made in a quarter. They ended with 19 made triples, which marked a season high.

Orlando parlayed its sharpshooting into a 22-point lead during one stretch against the Raptors, who fell to 8-27 with their 12th loss in the last 13 games.

The Magic (21-15) return home for one game to host Utah on Sunday before visiting New York for a Monday night game.

Suggs update

Magic guard Jalen Suggs appeared to be in quite a bit of pain after he attempted to intercept a pass with 3:15 left in the second quarter.

With a towel covering his face, Suggs had to be wheel-chaired off the court after two teammates initially attempted to help him off the court with his arms over their shoulders.

At halftime, the Magic ruled out Suggs for the remainder of the game due to back spasms.

“He was in a lot of pain,” Mosley said postgame of Suggs. “We’ll get him re-evaluated [Saturday]. Right now, it’s looking like back spasms, so we’ll just have to get him re-evaluated.”

Suggs had six points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal in 13 minutes before he exited the game.

Bench boost

Cole Anthony started the second half in place of Suggs and tied his career high in assists with 11 in 34 minutes.

Anthony’s seven points in the fourth quarter helped the Magic keep the Raptors out of reach late after Toronto opened the final frame on a 10-2 run.

Powered by Anthony, Orlando’s bench returned to form when it outscored Toronto’s 43-18 when all six reserves scored at least five points.

Veteran guard Cory Joseph, a native of Canada, reached double figures for the first time in a Magic uniform when he went 3 of 5 from distance to total 11 points in 17 minutes.

Rookie watch

After a scoreless showing Wednesday night at Detroit, Magic No. 18 pick Tristan da Silva bounced back at Toronto.

He remained aggressive in his 25th start of the season and racked up a career-high 25 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Da Silva added four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 37 minutes.

Other injury updates

Magic second-year guard Anthony Black missed his third straight game due to a low-back contusion.

Two-way guard Trevelin Queen returned to action after he missed Wednesday’s game at Detroit due to an illness. He scored five points in 11 minutes against the Raptors.

Prior to the game, Mosley said Gary Harris, who missed Friday’s game, re-aggravated his left hamstring strain against the Pistons. Harris previously missed 13 games due to the injury.