Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from Game 5 finale vs. Raptors

Despite winning Game 1 of their first round series, the Orlando Magic suffered a gentleman’s sweep in the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Here are three takeaways from the decisive Game 5.

Coming into their first playoff series since 2012 as heavy underdogs, but winners in 22 of their last 33 contests to close the regular season, the 7-seeded Orlando Magic couldn’t have been more overlooked. After taking Game 1 on the road against the 2-seeded Toronto Raptors, it appeared as though the Magic had a little, well, magic in store for the 2019 NBA Playoffs.

Unfortunately, after stealing the series opener, Orlando’s juju quickly ran out, culminating in the team’s Game 5 blowout loss Tuesday night.

In a 115-96 throttling where Toronto’s lead climbed as high as 37 points, the Magic suffered a gentleman’s sweep that ended their 2018-19 campaign in disappointing fashion. Earning a postseason berth for the first time since Dwight Howard left was thrilling, but there’s no denying Orlando was thoroughly outplayed from Game 2 onward.

Kyle Lowry, who torched the Magic outside of Game 1, scored Toronto’s first nine points to help the Raptors jump out to a 9-1 start. They continued to pile it on, eventually leading 22-3 in the first frame and never looking back. Orlando trailed by 16 at the end of the opening period, and didn’t hit its first 3-pointer until the 7:55 mark of the second quarter, starting 0-for-11 from deep.

With the Magic trailing by 20 at the break, the game felt over by that point, and even more so when Toronto opened up the second half on a quick 6-0 run. Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon facing early foul trouble in the first quarter meant Orlando never really had a chance.

D.J. Augustin led the visitors with a mere 15 points, while Terrence Ross and Wesley Iwundu chipped in 12 apiece off the bench. Aaron Gordon added 11 points and seven rebounds as Kawhi Leonard finished with a game-high 27 points for the Raptors.

Following the Game 5 rout, here are three takeaways from the series (and season) finale as the Orlando Magic head into the offseason.