The thrilling match in Orlando saw the Toronto Raptors secure a hard-fought victory against the Magic, thanks to an unstoppable comeback led by Immanuel Quickley, who scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half. The game ended with the Raptors prevailing 104-102 on Sunday night.
In the final seconds of the game, the tension was palpable as Franz Wagner of the Magic missed a crucial driving layup, allowing the Raptors to clinch the win. The Raptors had endured a scoreless drought in the last 2 minutes and 52 seconds of the game, but they managed to hold off the Magic’s late surge. A backcourt turnover had given the ball back to the Magic with just 4.7 seconds remaining.
RJ Barrett contributed 22 points for Toronto, while Jakob Poeltl recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. On the other side, Wagner led the Orlando team with 25 points, with Paolo Banchero adding 23, including a three-point play that narrowed the Raptors’ lead to 104-100.
The game was not without its share of physicality, as Raptors guard Gradey Dick had to exit the game after taking a blow to the face from Cole Anthony’s head during a fall late in the first half.
Immanuel Quickley’s standout performance, which included four assists, fell just one point short of his season high. His explosive play, particularly at the end of the third quarter, was instrumental in helping the Raptors avoid a potential fourth consecutive loss.
The Magic, meanwhile, continued to struggle, losing for the fourth time in five games, all of which were played at home. The absence of Jalen Suggs, who is set to undergo knee surgery, has been keenly felt by the team, as they have now dropped 25 of their last 26 games with Suggs out. Their record during this period stands at 7-18.
A key moment in the game came when Quickley went on a scoring spree, hitting a crucial 3-pointer, completing a three-point play, assisting on a layup by Jonathan Mogbo, and adding another three-point play in the final 74 seconds of the third quarter. This impressive run spearheaded a 12-1 surge for the Raptors, giving them a decisive 81-72 lead.
The Raptors also had a significant advantage in bench scoring, outscoring the Magic 30-21 in that category, with Jamal Snead contributing 12 points off the bench.
The two teams are set to face off again in Orlando on Tuesday night, in what promises to be another exciting showdown. For more NBA news and updates, visit the official AP NBA website at https://apnews.com/hub/nba.
