The Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors have had a wildly entertaining first three games of their series, but the series might end soon if the Magic aren’t able to win Game 4. Orlando went into Toronto and stunned the Raptors in Game 1 of the series, but the Raptors have responded with two straight wins. Toronto came into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference but also with plenty of demons of past postseason runs. The Magic weren’t supposed to be a playoff team this season so came into the playoffs playing with house money.
This has not been a very high-scoring series up to this point, and fans should expect much of the same in Game 4. Even though the Raptors are capable of scoring a ton of points, the Magic are slowing these games down to give themselves a chance. Toronto was able to steal home-court advantage back from the Magic with a 98-93 Game 3 victory in Orlando. If the Magic are going to extend this series past five games, then Game 4 is almost a must-win game for them.
The Toronto Raptors are -5.5 point favorites over the Magic in Game 4 on Sunday.
Magic Just Can’t Score Enough
The Orlando Magic were one of the lowest scoring teams in the NBA during the regular season, and that has been the case in this series as well. Orlando averaged just over 107 points per game this season, but have scored more than 93 points just once in this series. The Magic do have six different players averaging in double figures in this series, but they don’t have a true star who can take over the game. Orlando is shooting just 33 percent from the three-point line this series, and are going to have to knock down some shots to win Game 4.
The Magic allowed just 106.6 points per game during the regular season, and their defense has been terrific in this series as well. Orlando is averaging more than six steals per game, and they have made the Raptors work for everything. The Magic really need All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to step up his play in Game 4. Vucevic is averaging just 13.0 points per game and shooting just 38 percent from the floor.
Raptors’ Depth Coming Through
The Toronto Raptors have one of the deepest teams in the NBA this season, and that has shown up in a big way in this series. Toronto has eight different players averaging at least 18 minutes per game in this series, and they can all produce. Pascal Siakam might not be a household name, but he was the star in Game 3. Siakam poured in a career-high 30 points to go along with 11 rebounds and really dominated the game. If Toronto keeps getting this kind of production from their entire roster, they will be tough to beat.
Point guard Kyle Lowry was held without a point in the series opener, but the veteran has responded in a big way. Lowry is averaging 11.3 points and 8.7 assists so far in this series and made huge plays down the stretch in Game 3. The Raptors have been even better than the Magic on defense in this series, averaging close to eight steals per game. Toronto has been solid on both ends of the floor since the Game 1 debacle.
Toronto Takes Commanding 3-1 Lead
The Raptors looked horrible in their Game 1 loss, but they have responded in a big way. Toronto made some huge plays down the stretch in Game 3 and are now back in control of this series. Orlando has played the Raptors tough, but they just don’t score enough to beat the Raptors again. Bet the Toronto Raptors -5.5 over the Orlando Magic in Game 4.