The Toronto Raptors will look to keep it rolling when they host the Orlando Magic at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night.
The Raptors will be seeking back-to-back wins for the first time in a month. Toronto snapped an 11-game losing streak with a solid 130-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 1.
Immanuel Quickley made his long awaited return from injury and put on a show scoring 21 points to go along with 15 assists in 32 minutes of action.
The Raptors are finally getting healthy. They are just missing RJ Barrett who is out with an illness. Barrett is doubtful to play for tonight’s game so the Raptors will have to wait a little longer to see their starting lineup at full strength.
The Magic on the other hand, have had their fair share of injuries. They have been without their two best players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wanger, along with other key rotation pieces. As a result, they have lost 6 of their last 10 games. For this one Trevelin Queen (illness) is probable. Meanwhile, Anthony Black (back), Gary Harris (hamstring), Moritz Wagner (torn ACL), Franz Wagner (oblique) and Paolo Banchero (oblique) are all out.
With Quickley back and taking over the point guard duties it will allow Barnes to continue to play as a forward. He did most of his damage inside in the Raptors’ latest win, while still having some ball handling responsibilities. This is a matchup Barnes should dominate with the Magic missing their stars.
This is another winnable game for the Raptors, but they can’t take the shorthanded Magic lightly who are still a tough out.
Orlando Magic (20-15) vs. Toronto Raptors (8-26)
7:30 p.m. EST, Friday, January 3, 2025
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
TV: TSN
Projected Magic Starting Lineup:
PG: Jalen Suggs
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Tristan da Silva
PF: Wendell Carter Jr.
C: Goga Bitadze
Key Reserves: Caleb Houston, Gary Harris, Jett Howard
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: Gradey Dick
SF: Ochai Agbaji
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Jamal Shead, Bruce Brown, Chris Boucher
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