Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from Game 2 massacre vs. Raptors

The Orlando Magic couldn’t continue their momentum from their previous victory, losing Game 2 of their first round series to the Toronto Raptors, 111-82.

After a surprising opening game victory against the Toronto Raptors in their first round series of the 2019 NBA Playoffs, the Orlando Magic ran into a buzzsaw in their Game 2 defeat, losing 111-82. The series is now tied at one game apiece, with the next two games set to take place down in Orlando.

The Raptors came out on a mission from the jump, outscoring the Magic 26-18 in the opening 12 minutes of play. They led comfortably for most of the game, stretching the lead as high as 34 on the shoulders of their two All-Stars

Meanwhile, the Magic found themselves playing from behind the entire game. They looked like an inexperienced playoff team, struggling to find any momentum at either end of the floor against a team not looking to go down 0-2.

Kawhi Leonard was phenomenal in the victory, scoring 37 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field. Following his goose egg performance in Game 1, Kyle Lowry bounced back with 22 points of his own. For the Magic, Aaron Gordon led Orlando with 20 points, while Terrence Ross chipped in 15 off the pine.

It has proven to be very difficult for a team to steal both games on the road in any given postseason series. It’s why so many of them stress the importance of just getting one. The Magic may have lost some of the rhythm they had coming off a shocking upset, but they will certainly gain a boost from a home crowd that hasn’t witnessed a playoff game since 2012.