Orlando Magic: 5 keys to series vs. Raptors
By Luke Duffy
The Orlando Magic head into the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors as firm first round underdogs, but there are reasons for optimism.
Now that we’ve reached April, the fact that the Orlando Magic are still alive and a part of the 2019 NBA Playoffs is testament to how much they’ve improved this season. This has been reflected in the ecstatic fanbase too, which has been overcome with joy on social media since they beat the Boston Celtics to make their trip to the postseason official.
Their efforts to secure the 7-seed were rewarded with a series against the Toronto Raptors — an organization that won 58 games, and in Kawhi Leonard, has one of the premier players in the league. The Raptors have a lot more going for them than Leonard, however, making them strong favorites to beat Orlando.
For the Magic, this is the culmination of a seven-year rebuild, and feels like the re-awakening of a franchise. This trip to the postseason might be over quickly, as the Raptors are the second favorites to come out of the East after the Milwaukee Bucks, but just making the cut represents progress.
They’ve turned a corner, and, no matter what this summer brings, will begin next season with Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac, Mohamed Bamba and Markelle Fultz. Some veterans are sure to stay too, meaning the outlook in Orlando hasn’t been this bright in a long time.
That optimism should remain for the duration of the playoffs, no matter how quickly the Magic are eliminated. It should be grounded in realism, but there is also reason to believe Orlando can at least make the Raptors work for a series win. Here are five keys to doing so.