Orlando, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – DeMar DeRozan had 26 points and eight
rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the Orlando Magic 108-95 on Saturday
night.
Kyle Lowry netted 21 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 10 points and 11
rebounds for the Raptors, who are off to a 2-0 start after beating Atlanta in
their opener on Wednesday.
“I thought Kyle and DeMar took over with their matchups,” Raptors head coach
Dwane Casey said.
Evan Fournier posted 18 points, rookie Elfrid Payton tallied 16 points and
nine assists and Nik Vucevic supplied 15 points and 12 boards for Orlando,
which has dropped its first three games.
“We will step it up offensively,” Magic forward Tobias Harris said.
After back-to-back 3-pointers from Harris and Moe Harkless pulled the Magic
within 78-76 late in the third, Toronto closed the period on an 9-2 run.
The Raptors were 7-of-7 from the foul line during the surge, which was capped
on Lou Williams’ bonus shots for an 87-78 advantage heading into the fourth.
Toronto outscored Orlando 38-26 in the third and shot 57.9 percent (11-of-19)
in the frame.
Channing Frye split a pair of free throws to get the Magic within 93-89 with
5:03 left, but Amir Johnson’s offensive rebound and putback finished off a 9-1
spurt and Orlando never seriously threatened again.
The Raptors led 29-26 after a quarter of play, but the Magic used a 15-4 run
during the early portion of the second to open up a 41-36 advantage.
Orlando took a 52-49 edge into the break.
Game Notes
Toronto shot just 39.8 percent (33-of-83) from the field, 4-of-21 from beyond
the arc, but sunk 38-of-48 (79.2 percent) from the foul line … The Raptors
outrebounded Orlando, 50-40.
