Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Magic

3. Rotation Adjustments

The adjustments from both coaches were very strong in this game. The Toronto Raptors came out looking like the top-seeded team to start the game and won the quarter by a deciding margin. Steve Clifford and the Magic were not going down swinging, shutting down the Raptors’ with a 1-for-9 start of the second. It wasn’t until Leonard came back into the game with Gasol and Danny Green to play were able to show some life. They ended the second quarter on a 9-0 run to cut the Magic lead to single digits.

In the third quarter, it looked like the Magic had awoken the beasts of Toronto, as they came out with the same intensity they did to start the game. By the end of the third quarter, they had the lead. The Magic responded with the momentum they got from their bench, led by Terrance Ross who finished the game with 10 point and six rebounds and Micheal Carter-Williams’ lockdown defense to erase all the good the Raptors just accomplished. MCW was a bother for Lowry and Fred VanVleet all night, using his size and athleticism to be a plus defender against the Toronto guards.

Head coach Nick Nurse responded by using switches to help free from the taller defenders and using Green as the main defender on Augustin who was held to only six points in the second half after pouring in 19 in the first.  Aaron Gordon did his best to contain Leonard who could have easily had a bigger night if it wasn’t for Gordon utilizing his size and athleticism on that end of the floor.

One of the Raptors biggest strengths is when their defense fuels their offense leading to easy fast break points. Orlando did a great job limiting those opportunities, holding the Raps to 15 points in that category. The battle of the coaches was on full display, with both teams going back and forth winning quarters and plays. This game was one rimmed out shot short of being in the Raptors favor.