Magic drop 4th straight in loss to Raptors

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 21, 2025

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After the Orlando Magic lost to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said they needed to play a full 48 minutes to snap a three-game skid.

Missing three starters and five rotational players Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena, however, Orlando hit a wall against the Toronto Raptors.

After Orlando jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter, it trailed by as many as 22 points in the second half when Toronto stormed back to capture a 109-93 victory, just its 11th of the season.

The Magic entered without Franz Wagner (return to competition reconditioning), Jalen Suggs (low back strain), Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol), Gary Harris (left hamstring strain), Jett Howard (left ankle sprain), Cole Anthony (illness) and Moe Wagner (left knee torn ACL).

Jonathan Isaac (illness) only played five minutes when he exited in the first quarter, leaving the Magic with just eight active players.

Toronto had five different scorers finish in double figures as the Raptors took control with a 10-0 third-quarter run. The Raptors (11-32) posted 40 points in the frame and outscored Orlando in each of last three quarters.

Following four straight losses, the Magic (23-22) return to Kia Center on Thursday to host the Portland Trail Blazers.

Starting 5

Second-year guard Anthony Black filled in for Anthony, who had started the last three games.

In just his fourth start, Black opened alongside Caldwell-Pope, rookie Tristan da Silva, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr.

Black helped penetrate the paint early but after a nine-point first quarter, he totaled 17 points with seven rebounds in 36 minutes.

Banchero played the most amount of minutes (32) since he returned following a two-plus month absence with a torn right abdominal muscle. He likely had no choice given Orlando’s lack of players.

Still, the All-Star forward recorded his third double-double of the season with 26 points and 12 rebounds. He’s scored at least 20 points eight times in 11 appearances.

However, Banchero failed to take care of the ball (five turnovers) and couldn’t convert at the free throw line or from 3-point range (shot 3 of 7 in both instances).

Carter (10 points, 10 rebounds) notched his second straight double-double and third in the past four games, but fouled out with 3:11 left in the game.

Second unit

After Isaac exited, Orlando only had three players available off the bench the rest of the night.

Two-way guard Trevelin Queen, third-year pro Caleb Houstan and veteran guard Cory Joseph shot a combined 2 of 8 from beyond the arc.

In comparison, the Raptors used 10 reserves. Vets Bruce Brown (15 points) and Kelly Olynyk (12) powered Toronto’s bench as the duo combined to shoot 4 of 6 from 3.

Usually a positive area for Orlando when at full strength, Toronto held a 41-11 advantage in bench points.

Rookie watch

Da Silva played a team-high 38 minutes but failed to make an impact on offense.

The No. 18 pick shot 3 of 10 and totaled just nine points. Although he attacked the paint, he shot 2 of 7 near the basket.