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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from Game 5 series win vs. Magic

By Jonathan Turco

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets to the bucket after leaving Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) behind. Toronto Raptors vs Orlando Magic in 1st half action of Round 1, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors lead the series 3-1. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 23: Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets to the bucket after leaving Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) behind. Toronto Raptors vs Orlando Magic in 1st half action of Round 1, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors lead the series 3-1. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images /

3. Raptors looking like defensive juggernauts

The Toronto Raptors’ defense was simply superb against the Magic. They tied with the Boston Celtics for the best defensive rating among all first round playoff teams at 95.8, per NBA.com. In addition, they were the leaders in other advance defensive metrics, including first in charges drawn (1.8 per game), second in deflections (14.4 per game) and sixth in shots contested (62 per game).

They held their opponent under 100 points per game in each of their wins. It is their intensity on this end of the floor that has truly fueled their offense, and provided consistent energy to build leads.

Lowry leads the association with seven charges drawn and is third in deflections with 3.4 per game. Marc Gasol has been an absolute wall defensively. Him and Lowry are both fifth in the postseason among all eligible players with 2.0 steals per game.

Gasol and Kawhi Leonard both have been using active hands to help their teammates create turnovers, each contributing 2.6 deflections per game. Head coach Nick Nurse’s adjustment from Game 1 of having Danny Green cover D.J. Augustin was instrumental in shutting down Orlando’s unsung hero. Tuesday night the Raptors created 17 turnovers leading to 15 points.

As a collective unit, the Raptors are very dangerous defensively. Even though the Magic were hardly a formidable offensive team, it seems after every game the Raptors play, they’re getting better and better on that end of the floor.