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

By Daniel Lubofsky

The Orlando Magic walk off the court for a timeout against the Toronto Raptors during Game 2 in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic walk off the court for a timeout against the Toronto Raptors during Game 2 in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Nikola Vucevic‘s struggles continue

Following a Game 1 stat line of just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field, Nikola Vucevic’s encore wasn’t much better in Game 2. He took just seven shots on the night, making three of them on his way to six points. That’s not exactly the type of production Orlando was looking for from its leader.

The trio of Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka have clearly done a number on Vucevic. At roughly 255 pounds, Gasol has the size to keep him out of the paint. Both Siakam and Ibaka have the length and bounce to deter him on the drive and contest any and all shots.

The Magic don’t have many guys they can give the ball to and expect a bucket. This is a team that focused more on sharing the wealth throughout the regular season, ranking 12th in assists per game. Every team, though, needs someone to consistently carry the scoring load on any given night.

Vucevic was phenomenal all season for the Magic, averaging 20.8 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. He was a first-time All-Star and the fulcrum of Orlando’s offensive attack. His disappearance in Game 1 was alleviated somewhat by the 25 points D.J. Augustin produced, but it’s clear that such an outing from the 10-year veteran isn’t sustainable if this team wants to win.

For the Magic to remain competitive in this series moving forward, they’ll need their best player to start acting like it in the way he knows best. The alternative offensive options simply haven’t proven capable of taking that mantle from him.