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Magic vs. Raptors GameThread

The Magic look to find steady footing against the best team in the Eastern Conference

NBA: Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Who: Toronto Raptors (26-10) at Orlando Magic (14-19)
When: Friday, December 28th, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Line: Toronto -5.5, O/U: 208
OUT: Toronto - Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, Norman Powell

Toronto Orlando
Offensive Rating: 114.1 (1st) Offensive Rating: 105.5 (27th)
Defensive Rating: 107.6 (9th) Defensive Rating: 110.3 (15th)
Pace: 99.1 (17th) Pace: 97.0 (27th)
Projected Starters:
PG - Fred VanVleet PG - D.J. Augustin
SG - Danny Green SG - Evan Fournier
SF - Kawhi Leonard F - Jonathan Isaac
PF - Pascal Siakam F - Aaron Gordon
C - Serge Ibaka C - Nikola Vucevic


Pregame Quotes from Coach Clifford:


Clifford on Siakam - “It starts in transition, if he get’s a rebound, he’ll try to get all the way to the rim. He can drive with either hand, and he has secondary moves. He doesn’t need a big seam to crack it and get into your defense. His penetration is a big part of their game, and he’s also improved his shooting to the point where you can’t sag off him.”

Clifford on Toronto - “When you look at their team, they’re good on offense, they’re good on defense, they have been - this is their fourth year in a row. They have a superstar. And they’ve done a phenomenal job putting the team together where they have real depth.”

Clifford on his team’s defensive approach tonight - “That’s what tonight is all about, at that end of the floor. Do you cut off the head, and the body will die. Or do you live with him getting his 25 and find out (about Toronto’s other rotation guys). The problem with a guy like Kawhi is, if he knows your coming, it’s going to be a problem. (But) if he knows you’re playing 1-on-1 it’s over. So to me, you’ve got to be able to cause some indecision.”


Check out our preview of tonight’s Magic/Raptors game here. Leave your pregame and in-game comments below. Feel free to follow us on Twitter at @OPPMagicBlog. And as always - enjoy!