A pair of postseason teams will kickstart Friday’s NBA Cup action. The Magic (1-3) are struggling, still adjusting to life without injured star Paolo Banchero. As for the Raptors (3-1), things have been going well despite the absence of offseason pickup Kawhi Leonard. Which of these banged-up squads will come out on top tonight?
The Raptors enter today’s matchup as 5.5-point favorites, with the total set at 227.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Friday’s Orlando vs. Toronto contest.
Magic vs. Raptors prediction, preview
Sean Sweeney is the new head coach in Orlando, looking to jumpstart this offense. So far, the results haven’t been there. The Magic are averaging just 107.0 points per game, third-worst in the association. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the team is on the hook for an NBA-worst 103.7 offensive rating. Granted, most clubs would have a hard time scoring without their best player. Regardless, it’s not as if the more experienced players on this roster have impressed this season. Franz Wagner is shooting 15.0% from three-point range, while Desmond Bane is connecting on just over 30% of his field goal attempts. Those two need to perform better if Orlando is going to put up a fight against elite competition. In addition to the absence of Banchero (ankle), Jalen Suggs (knee) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) have both been ruled out tonight.
On paper, today’s game could turn into yet another slog for the Magic. That’s due in large part to their opponents this evening. The Raptors, even without a future Hall of Famer in Leonard, play a pestering brand of basketball. They lead the NBA in points allowed per game (102.5) and defensive rating (98.2). Two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes has been a catalyst on that end of the floor. Toronto’s do it all wing is averaging 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. That level of defensive versatility is extremely rare, especially for a player that also commands solid usage on offense. Fellow pests such as Jamal Shead and Collin Murray-Boyles can also make life tough on opposing scorers. As a unit, the Raptors have snatched an NBA-best 14.3 steals per game. In comparison, Orlando is tied for third in the league with 17.8 turnovers per game.
The Raptors have made a strong effort to increase their scoring, ranking second in basketball with a 104.4 pace. They were 20th in that category last season. RJ Barrett is one of the association’s more underrated guards at this point in his career. The Canadian leads Toronto in scoring (22.0 PPG) while adding 6.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Longtime teammate Immanuel Quickley has chipped in with 17.5 PPG as well. Toronto is knocking down just over 30% of its three-point attempts, so there’s room for improvement on offense. Still, missing a big piece such as Leonard makes everything more difficult.
In recent years, Orlando has remained competitive in spite of its offensive ineptitude. However, this once-vaunted defense has looked like a shell of its former self this season. Through four games, the Magic are allowing the ninth-most points per game (119.5). That’s due in large part to second-chance opportunities. Orlando has surrendered 13.3 offensive rebounds per game to opponents, seventh-most in basketball. When these two teams met on Wednesday, the Raptors earned a dominant 129-99 victory. Barnes was particularly effective, notching 28 points on 11-of-17 shooting (64.7 FG%).
Best Bet: Raptors -5.5 (-115)
Toronto will miss Leonard, but this group has more than enough options to get by on offense. It’s a different story for the Magic, sorely needing at least one of Banchero or Suggs in their lineup. Making matters worse, Orlando’s vaunted defense hasn’t lived up to expectations so far. An up-tempo scoring attack should allow the Raptors to pull away in this NBA Cup showdown.
