Toronto Raptors vs Orlando Magic: Can the Raptors make it two in a row?

01/03/2025 12:32 PM

The Raptors are looking to tie their season-high 2-game winning streak with a win tonight.

The Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic are heading into tonight's game on opposite sides of the injury bug. The Raptors' injury report is just an RJ Barrett illness away from becoming a clean slate (which should happen soon), while the Magic's injury report is starting to pile up.

Despite incurring more games lost due to injuries to their key players than the Raptors for the month of December, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has done a terrific job keeping their team's head above water. They finished with an impressive record of 6-7 last month and were competitive even in losses. It's a "next man up" mentality for the Magic, and some of their players took advantage of the elevated roles and increased playing time.

Jalen Suggs is averaging 20 points per game since Franz Wagner got injured early in December. Magic rookie Tristan Da Silva bumped his production, averaging 12.5 points over the last eight games. Goga Bitadze's filled in for Mo Wagner, putting up 12.7 points and 11 rebounds last month.

Unfortunately, we can't say the same for the Raptors, as they failed to even show up for games as injuries piled up, having a forgettable month of December, taking an 11-game losing streak into 2025. Luckily for them, the team got healthy as the calendar turned, and getting Immanuel Quickley back sparked a much-needed win against the Brooklyn Nets, breaking their 11-game losing streak.

Quickley's presence at the point guard position moved everybody back to their natural role and floor positioning, and despite the horrendous defense that the Nets showed, the Raptors, for the first time in ages, went into the game and executed their game plan, imposing their will for the most part.

Based on the injury report, it looks like RJ Barrett is the only one likely to miss tonight's game for the Raptors, as he was downgraded to "doubtful." Bruce Brown should see some minutes, as he didn't play against the Nets in the second game of their back-to-back. It makes sense since the Raptors sent Jamison Battle and Jonathan Mogbo down to the Raptors 905 (along with Ulrich Chomche and AJ Lawson), who's got a game against the Austin Spurs at home at the same time tonight.

On the other side, the Magic's coming into town with their stars Paolo Banchero, who's still rehabbing from his injury, and Franz Wagner, who tore his oblique almost a month ago. They also miss Moritz Wagner, who tore his ACL two weeks ago. Gary Harris is also expected to miss the game due to a hamstring strain.

The healthier Raptors will need to bring their "A-game" against this pesky Orlando Magic, a gritty team with a "never say die" mentality. Despite being undermanned and lacking star power, they were able to pull off upsets against the Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat. They erased a 17-point 4th quarter deficit against the Nets, with Cole Anthony delivering the game-winning layup. Against the Celtics, the team that toyed with the Raptors for 50+ points, the Magic overcame a 15-point lead, with Da Silva making a clutch trifecta to seal the win.

That said, coach Darko Rajakovic and the Raptors have the health and talent upper hand in tonight's game. All they need to do is execute their game plan and be disciplined enough not to let the Magic get into their "try-hard" mode.

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Where to Watch

TSN, 7:30 PM EST

Lineups

Toronto: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl

Orlando: Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tristan Da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr.

Injury Report

Toronto: RJ Barrett — illness (doubtful), Jonathan Mogbo — G League Assignment (OUT), Jamison Battle — G League Assignment (OUT), Ulrich Chomche — G League Assignment (OUT), AJ Lawson — G League Assignment (OUT)

Orlando: Paolo Banchero — conditioning (OUT), Anthony Black — back (questionable), Gary Harris — hamstring (OUT), Franz Wagner — oblique (OUT), Moritz Wagner — ACL (OUT), Mac McClung — G League Assignment (OUT)