OGT: Nov 1 Raptors (1-0) @ Magic (0-2)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://i.imgur.com/Da46LXQ.jpg

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20141101/TORORL/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


Although they struggled with their shooting, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry found other ways to contribute in the Toronto Raptors' season-opening win.

Now the talented guards have an opportunity to find their touch against the lowly Orlando Magic.

As DeRozan and Lowry look to continue the success they had in last season's series, the Magic hope to avoid their first 0-3 start in nine years and snap a seven-game losing streak to the visiting Raptors on Saturday night.

The starting backcourt played a key role last season when the Raptors won a franchise-record 48 games and their first Atlantic Division title in seven years, but they got off to a rough start offensively in Wednesday's 109-102 home win over Atlanta.

DeRozan made 4 of 16 from the field for 15 points and had a team-worst five turnovers for Toronto (1-0). However, the sixth-year pro also posted a career-high 11 rebounds to go along with six steals.

Lowry scored 11 on 3-of-11 shooting, though he added 10 assists, six boards and three steals.

The frontcourt helped pick up the scoring slack as Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points, Amir Johnson added 16 and Terrence Ross chipped in 13 -- all surpassing their 2013-14 season averages.

"We're a team, we're a complete team," said Lowry, who averaged 17.9 points last season to rank second on the team to DeRozan (22.7). "Me and DeMar, we didn't play as well offensively but we did other things to try to help the team win."

Lowry averaged 25.7 points in three meetings with Orlando in 2013-14 -- his best against any opponent -- as Toronto swept the season series for the second straight time. The Raptors' seven-game win streak over Orlando is easily their longest ever.

DeRozan has averaged 22.0 points in that span and totaled 53 in two matchups last season.

Orlando (0-2) hasn't reached 100 points in any of the seven games during its skid against Toronto, averaging 89.3, and was outrebounded by 30 in last season's three meetings.

The Magic hit 51.4 percent from the field Thursday but lost 105-98 at home to Washington. It was a big improvement after shooting 38.1 percent in Tuesday's 101-84 loss at New Orleans, but they committed 18 turnovers for the second straight contest.

"I thought we played pretty well, but those turnovers are just too much," said Nikola Vucevic, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds. "We're not good enough to allow those."

Vucevic has started strong with a combined 38 points and 35 rebounds in the two defeats. He's scored 41 on 18-of-27 shooting with 24 boards in his last two home meetings with Toronto.

Elfrid Payton, the 10th overall pick in the June draft, is taking over the starting point guard role for Jameer Nelson but has mostly struggled. He's totaled six points on 2-of-10 shooting with eight turnovers, though he does have 14 assists. Fourth overall selection Aaron Gordon has scored 15 off the bench.

Orlando is without last season's Rookie of the Year runner-up Victor Oladipo, who is expected to miss about a month because of a facial fracture.

The Magic haven't opened with three straight losses since 2005, and the Raptors haven't won their first two games since a 3-0 start in 2008.

[Jameerthefear]

We need this one. Lets kick some ****ing ass.

[Bcogswell]

Raptors got dis.

[BuffaloBill]

In

[Real14]

Let's go magic:applause:

[Kungfro]

Raps have beat Magic 7 times in a row now, about to make it 8.

[Bcogswell]

Raps have beat Magic 7 times in a row now, about to make it 8.

:rockon: :rockon:

[Jameerthefear]

Nice Frye

[Jameerthefear]

****ing Vuc

[Jameerthefear]

Payton!

[BuffaloBill]

Nic Vucci is a monster!

[outbreak]

Vucevic looks even more like a bargain every day with how he's playing and the other big deals being thrown around

Payton!

[Bcogswell]

JV cleaning up the boards

[Jameerthefear]

I really wish we could get calls at home. I really do.

[Kungfro]

I wish the Raps would go to Lowry more then Derozan on offense.

[Bcogswell]

DeMar :cheers:

[outbreak]

someone tell fournier his haircut is terrible please

[Bcogswell]

someone tell fournier his haircut is terrible please

I second this :oldlol:

[outbreak]

I second this :oldlol:

He always looks like he is wearing eyeliner too which doesn't help the hair cut.

[BuffaloBill]

Fournier again with the struggle ponytail

[BuffaloBill]

Steph curry should be the only one allowed to do the pull up 3

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors need to play better defense.

[aboss4real24]

ORL Gonna win this game

i have no faith in tor defense at all

and there o# is up n down

[Bcogswell]

Baby Pippen!

[PerfectCell]

Steph curry should be the only one allowed to do the pull up 3
Mike Conley and Brad Beal would like a word with you. D-Rose also did his best Curry impression for Halloween yesterday.

[Kungfro]

Hansbrough has been garbage so far.

[Qwyjibo]

Less Tyler Hansbrough, please. MUCH less.

[MellowYellow]

Frye! :bowdown: :bowdown: best player on the magic.

[PerfectCell]

Mfw AG is double zero. Doesn't feel right.

[Jameerthefear]

Payton is absolutely dominating

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Raptors will win this game. Book it.

[outbreak]

Mfw AG is double zero. Doesn't feel right.

"I'm choosing 00 because that's how wide your eyes will go when you see me play"

:facepalm

[RoundMoundOfReb]

"I'm choosing 00 because that will be my most common stat line"

[Bcogswell]

Lowry ties it up!

[outbreak]

"I'm choosing 00 because that will be my most common stat line"

:biggums:

They count turnovers and fouls on the stat sheet remember?


In all honesty he's been better than I've expected on offence. Still raw but he's shown a bit more than I thought he had.

[outbreak]

Jeez payton looks good when he plays aggresive.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Yeah I'm just kidding. I like him. He's a unique player.

[PerfectCell]

"I'm choosing 00 because that's how wide your eyes will go when you see me play"

:facepalm
Was accustomed to AG32 when he played for my high school. I remember his senior year we had a sophomore on the varsity team (impressive for a strong program like my high school) who wore 00 because they ran out of other numbers in Guard sizes. I guess it kind of symbolizes Aaron's transition from hs phenom to a humble rookie in a league of even bigger phenoms.

[outbreak]

Was accustomed to AG32 when he played for my high school. I remember his senior year we had a sophomore on the varsity team (impressive for a strong program like my high school) who wore 00 because they ran out of other numbers in Guard sizes. I guess it kind of symbolizes Aaron's transition from hs phenom to a humble rookie in a league of even bigger phenoms.

I don't have an issue with him taking 00 but I thought his comment on wide eyes sounded cringe worthy.

[outbreak]

Harris wants to be something he's not....

[PerfectCell]

I don't have an issue with him taking 00 but I thought his comment on wide eyes sounded cringe worthy.

Kinda uncharacteristic too. Wonder what the context was, big media interview or smaller outlet profiling him?

[BRabbiT]

Raptors will win this game. Book it.

Orlando looking up to the task (so far).

[Jameerthefear]

Harris has been trash the last 2 games. Payton is carrying us.

[Qwyjibo]

- The Raptors are respecting the Magic too much. I don't know why they are playing such close defense on guys like Harris and Payton. Let them shoot. Also, there should rarely be a time you need to double team anyone on Orlando.

- Frontcourt talent might be an issue for the Raptors. Amir and Jonas are good but neither have shown that they are clear 32+ MPG starters. Patterson is decent but a bit soft. Hansbrough is awful, IMO, and should be used very sparingly. Hopefully they can get good minutes out of James Johnson at PF in smaller lineups.

[outbreak]

Kinda uncharacteristic too. Wonder what the context was, big media interview or smaller outlet profiling him?
I think it was his introduction press conference, I guess he is REALLY young though and it must be such an exciting thing to finally be in the NBA.

[outbreak]

Harris has been trash the last 2 games. Payton is carrying us.
He's forcing it, he wants to be a go to scorer instead of finding it within the offence.

[Jameerthefear]

- The Raptors are respecting the Magic too much. I don't know why they are playing such close defense on guys like Harris and Payton. Let them shoot. Also, there should rarely be a time you need to double team anyone on Orlando.

- Frontcourt talent might be an issue for the Raptors. Amir and Jonas are good but neither have shown that they are clear 32+ MPG starters. Patterson is decent but a bit soft. Hansbrough is awful, IMO, and should be used very sparingly. Hopefully they can get good minutes out of James Johnson at PF in smaller lineups.
Your talking about Harris like he's lighting it up. He's playing like trash. Elf has been going past whoever has been guarding him the whole night/

[BuffaloBill]

"I'm choosing 00 because that will be my most common stat line"


:roll:

[Qwyjibo]

Your talking about Harris like he's lighting it up. He's playing like trash. Elf has been going past whoever has been guarding him the whole night/
They're still letting Harris drive past the defense even though he generally has someone smaller and quicker guarding him. The Raptors got lucky that he played like trash.

[outbreak]

Your talking about Harris like he's lighting it up. He's playing like trash. Elf has been going past whoever has been guarding him the whole night/
Elfs getting by the defender because he's stick close to him, they should sag off and challenge him to shoot is what Qwyjibo means

[outbreak]

Vuc is adding back his 3 point shot lol. He used to take that more as a rookie didn't he?

[BuffaloBill]

Canadian football league hall of fame???


:biggums:

[Qwyjibo]

Get Ross out of this game for a bit, please. He's getting torched.

[Bcogswell]

4 point play for Lowry?

[outbreak]

4 point play for Lowry?

bs foul it looked like

[Bcogswell]

DeMar with the turnaround jumper.

[Legends66NBA7]

Kyle and DeMar stepping up.

[Jameerthefear]

Raps literally get every call

[PerfectCell]

No shame in getting done dirty by the veteran El Freddy.

[Qwyjibo]

Good stuff from Lowry, Amir and Derozan here. I hope Casey doesn't go back to the 5-bench player lineup for ~6 minutes again. I know there's a game tomorrow but you have to win this first.

[Bcogswell]

DeMar giving the raps the lead again.

[outbreak]

Tobias Harris has been one of the raptors best players today

[Bcogswell]

DeMar dropping back to back buckets.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

my stream is so shitty. anybody got a decent one?

[Kungfro]

Raps literally get every call

Didn't get that obvious offensive call there.

[Bcogswell]

Rossssss

[Kungfro]

I am buying the shit out of one of those retro jerseys.

[Bcogswell]

DeRozan hitting pull up jumpers and drawing charges. :applause:

[Jameerthefear]

More bullshit.

[Qwyjibo]

Two games in, I'm really impressed by Derozan's defense so far. This was nowhere to be seen last year. Hopefully it continues.

I hope the Raptors bench can do something when some of them start coming in this time around. They really blew it in the 2nd quarter. Patterson is frequently getting lost on defense.

[Jameerthefear]

Harris needs to be benched.

[Qwyjibo]

Harris needs to be benched.
I don't get why he's not using the clear size advantage he has had in all his matchups tonight.

[Bcogswell]

Lowry GV and Lou on at the same time?

[Bcogswell]

JJ taking the contact and getting it to drop.

[Qwyjibo]

Ugh, not this lineup again. Patterson and Hansbrough are an awful defensive combo to playing together in the frontcourt.

[Jameerthefear]

This is disgusting. The refball in the game is terrible.

[outbreak]

This is disgusting. The refball in the game is terrible.

Their blatantly helping orlando tank. It's BS

[Jameerthefear]

FTA:
Toronto: 38
Orlando: 13
K

[outbreak]

....

[Jameerthefear]

This reffing is absolutely disgusting

[Bcogswell]

JJ going baseline

[Jameerthefear]

I can't believe this

[Jameerthefear]

This is so onesided. The NBA is single-handedly trying to make the Raps a more popular team by shafting small markets. This is disgusting.

[outbreak]

How is that a foul?

[Legends66NBA7]

James had a solid game.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Magic are getting all the calls and still losing lmfao

[Kungfro]

Casey really letting the bench play again. Doing better then they did in the second though.

[BuffaloBill]

James Johnson is pretty much Lebron minus all the hype

[outbreak]

James Johnson is pretty much Lebron minus all the hype

and the stats

[Jameerthefear]

Yep. That's ballgame. I'm not sure what to say. We got shafted all night. We missed some freethrows yeah but the refs decided the game early. Vuc just got pushed down low with no call.

[BRabbiT]

This is disgusting. The refball in the game is terrible.


:lol


Toronto is more dominant. refs reward the aggressor.

[outbreak]

:lol


Toronto is more dominant. refs reward the aggressor.
:biggums:
the more aggressive team was the one taking jump shots not the one driving because they can't shoot?

Magic should have made more of their free throws and they could have stayed in this.

[Jameerthefear]

:biggums:
the more aggressive team was the one taking jump shots not the one driving because they can't shoot?

Magic should have made more of their free throws and they could have stayed in this.
No. They would have won it. I don't think I have ever been more disgusted by officiating in my life. Toronto had 50 freethrows to our 23. We were driving hard all night too. Vuc intentionally fouled out because he's just frustrated. Absolutely pathetic by the refs tonight.

[Kungfro]

Just for you Jameer.

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6047/DRlRfi.gif

[Bcogswell]

Raptors win! :dancin

[Jameerthefear]

:lol


Toronto is more dominant. refs reward the aggressor.
Please hang yourself in your closet tonight.

[Legends66NBA7]

Time to get some food.

http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/u4/salami-cheese-panini-hfEtOU-xl.jpg

[BRabbiT]

Orlando starts 0-2, & hasnt been 0-3 in 9 years. Orlando has an 8-game losing streak to Toronto.

Orlando hasn't reached 100 points in any of the 8 games during its skid against Toronto.

Orlando was outrebounded by 40 in the last season's 4 meetings.

Orlando hasn't opened with 3 straight losses since 2005. Toronto hasn't won their first 2 games since 2008.



...

[Jameerthefear]

...
Meh. Toronto hasn't won jack shit either way so it doesn't matter.

[Sakkreth]

Win is a win but bench worries me a bit. Look at the difference of +- between starters and bench players.

[VeeCee15]

Just watched the game.

Toronto played well and under control. Derozan was smooth and could not be stopped as was lowry. Reffing was fine.

Orlando is prob one of the WORST teams in the league. They run no plays, half the guys on that team cannot dribble and their offense is a complete mess. Coach should be fired.

[Qwyjibo]

Aaron Gordon looks REALLY limited right now. It's a good thing that he's still really young. He needs to get bigger and/or develop some kind of offensive skill set.

[Legends66NBA7]

Win is a win but bench worries me a bit. Look at the difference of +- between starters and bench players.

James Johnson played well and the rest struggled to get a consistent rhythm. Though, I though Hansbrough physical play flustered the Orlando big men/players overall.

[Qwyjibo]

I also think (hope) that more of the bench was used because they're playing a tough game tomorrow. I really don't want to see that Vasquez-Williams-Johnson-Patterson-Hansbrough lineup much this year. If possible, go small with Johnson at PF and have one of Derozan or Ross in there for some offense.

[Burgz V2]

Time to get some food.

http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/u4/salami-cheese-panini-hfEtOU-xl.jpg

I'd say i got something to eat with 5 mins left to go in the 4th :lol

[Burgz V2]

I also think (hope) that more of the bench was used because they're playing a tough game tomorrow. I really don't want to see that Vasquez-Williams-Johnson-Patterson-Hansbrough lineup much this year. If possible, go small with Johnson at PF and have one of Derozan or Ross in there for some offense.

wow that lineup was awful in the 4th. aside from hustle they bring nothing outstanding to the table. Vasquez and Williams were just chucking and Patterson was turning down shots he usually makes for shots he never makes. Johnson had a nice drive and dunk tho, I really hope he can crack the first 7 guys on the rotation.

[Legends66NBA7]

I also think (hope) that more of the bench was used because they're playing a tough game tomorrow. I really don't want to see that Vasquez-Williams-Johnson-Patterson-Hansbrough lineup much this year. If possible, go small with Johnson at PF and have one of Derozan or Ross in there for some offense.

Same here. The strategy did pay off because the Raps ended up winning.

I think they'll be fine for tomorrow, none of the starters had that much minutes tonight. Bench also has to be really key. I would also like to see Stiemsma play.

[BRabbiT]

Please hang yourself in your closet tonight.

:lol

[BRabbiT]

:biggums:
the more aggressive team was the one taking jump shots not the one driving because they can't shoot?

Magic should have made more of their free throws and they could have stayed in this.


the more aggressive team took care of the ball.

[Legends66NBA7]

the more aggressive team took care of the ball.

9 turnovers vs Atlanta.

7 turnovers vs Orlando. Big improvement on DeRozan, who had 5 turnovers vs Atlanta and had 0 tonight. Lowry has yet to have a turnover this season.