For the first time since the 2011-12 season, the Orlando Magic are returning to the postseason and they are colliding with the Atlantic Division-winning Toronto Raptors with Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto has been surging down the stretch, winning nine of its last 12, while Orlando has won 11 of its last 13. The Raptors and Magic split their four-game season set and Toronto is an 8.5-point favorite in this game with the total Sportsbook at 213 points.
Standout Stats
- Both teams cruised through the last few games of the season with Toronto going 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS through its last 12 games, while Orlando went 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS through its final 13. Over the Raptors’ torrid stretch, they have had an average winning margin of 12.67 points, while the Magic have outclassed their opponents by an average margin of 13.91.
- The OVER has been a smart wager for the two clubs through the latter stages of the regular season. The total went OVER in six of Toronto’s last 12 with an average combined score of 223.33. Meanwhile, Orlando went OVER in eight of its last 10 contests with an average combined score of 227.8. The two teams had an average combined score of 207 through their four-game season series.
- Toronto has ranked in the top 10 both offensively and defensively through the final 15 contests of the season. The Raptors chipped in 115.3 ppg, placing them 10th in the Association, but they have taken the second-fewest shot attempts over that span. However, they have the third-best shooting percentage and lead the league in three-point percentage through the last 15 games. Meanwhile, they are allowing 106.9 ppg, ranking eighth in the NBA, and limiting their foes to a measly 43.3 percent shooting from the floor.
- Orlando has been middle of the road offensively through the dwindling games of the regular season, chipping in an average of 113.5 ppg to rank 13th, but took the ninth-most shots over those last 15 matches with 91.6 attempts per game. That being said, the Magic have been fantastic defensively, restricting opponents to just 105.7 ppg to rank sixth in the NBA and surrendering the third-fewest shot attempts.
- The Magic have been a strong rebounding squad down the stretch, securing 48.9 boards per game to rank fifth in the league, while the Raptors were in the middle of the pack in 15th. The turnover battle may also be an interesting factor in this series as Orlando has averaged the sixth-most ppg off turnovers in its last 15 contests, and Toronto ranks 21st in opponent ppg off turnovers over the same span.
My Best Bet for Orlando vs Toronto
Toronto -8.5
The Raptors are a well-balanced team ranking in the top 10 offensively and defensively through the last 15 games of the regular season and I think they will come to play in the series opener. I also am impressed by the way Toronto is shooting from beyond the arc down the stretch and overall its pressure is going to be too much for Orlando to handle.
