As the Toronto Raptors typically do, they dropped another Game 1 in a playoff series (2-14 SU all-time) and now have to play from behind in their first-round series vs the Orlando Magic. The Raptors got outplayed by the frisky Magic, who won 21 of 30 games coming into the playoffs and held the Raptors to their lowest point total in 15 games.
The Raptors opened as 10-point favorites with a total of 212.
STANDOUT STATS
- Coming into Game 1, the Raptors were one of the most balanced teams in the NBA. They ranked third in three-point percentage over the final 15 games of the season while limiting opponents to 43.3 percent from the floor. But it all fell apart in Game 1 as the Raptors shot 33.3 percent from behind the arc while allowing Orlando to shoot 48 percent from three-point range on 29 attempts.
- Kyle Lowry was a no-show for the Raptors in Game 1 as he was held off the scoresheet while his counterpart, DJ Augustin, led the Magic with 25 points. Lowry was the only starter not to score double digits in points and he missed all seven of his shots, with six of those attempts from behind the arc.
- The Magic had a very balanced scoring attack as all five starters scored in double figures and seven players in total scored 10 points or more. Their defense was also sharp in Game 1 and was more of the same as Orlando was one of the best defenses in the NBA this season. They held opponents to 106.6 points per game while limiting teams to 87.6 shots per game (ranked eighth).
- The Raptors were one of the best home teams in the NBA during the regular season as they finished 32-9 SU in 41 games while having a +7.6 point differential. They ranked in the top 10 defensively by holding opponents to 107.6 points per game and were sixth in opponent field-goal percentage. They pretty much replicated that defensive effort in Game 1 but offensively, they fell off a cliff and 101 points was their lowest output in a 15-game stretch.
- Coming into Game 1, the Magic were one of the hottest OVER bets in the NBA with it hitting in seven of their last eight games (avg. combined score: 227.6). When they played in Toronto on April 1, they may have lost 121-109 but the closing total was 216. However, totals bettors should know the UNDER has hit in four of the last five games in this matchup.
My Best Bets for Magic vs Raptors
Magic +10 and OVER 211.5
This is just too many points to give to the Magic. Plain and simple. I think the Raptors win this game to even up the series but Orlando plays a style of “bend don’t break” and limits opponent shooting attempts. I think Kyle Lowry will have a much better game but the crazy part about Game 1 is that the Magic didn’t get a lot of production from Aaron Gordon or Terrence Ross, two of their top three scorers.
I think the Raptors will come out strong in the first half and getting them on the first-half spread may be a better option but for the full game, take the points. If you don’t like the spread, I think the OVER may be a decent play too because I expect the Raptors to put up 120 points and the Magic will get at least 90.
