The Orlando Magic stunned the Toronto Raptors with a surprising 106-97 victory, showcasing a remarkable turnaround in their shooting performance. Entering the game as the NBA's worst three-point shooting team, the Magic drained 19 shots from beyond the arc, shooting an impressive 43.2 percent. This marked a significant departure from their season average of just 11.2 three-pointers per game. The Raptors, known for their defense, struggled to contain the Magic's shooters, leading to a dismal first quarter where Orlando racked up 37 points.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic pointed to a lack of effort in closing out on shooters, admitting that the team allowed rhythm shots that contributed to the Magic's hot start. Despite a late-game push, bolstered by Scottie Barnes' 20 points, the Raptors could not overcome their early defensive lapses. Meanwhile, the Magic's Jalen Suggs exited the game in a wheelchair due to back spasms, adding to an already lengthy injury list for Orlando.