The Toronto Raptors are back even with Memphis.
That seems to be the most important part of these games for Toronto. Considering the injuries the Raptors are battling these days, any opportunity to keep even with the Memphis Grizzlies for the sixth-worst record in the NBA and a 46% chance to keep its first-round pick this year needs to be taken advantage of.
A 111-96 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday night meant the Raptors handled their business if you will.
But Toronto didn’t just roll over.
There was a feistiness to the Raptors who kept it close, particularly in the first half, thanks to some smothering defense against the Magic. Ochai Agbaji did his best to hold Paolo Banchero in check early as the Raptors forced Orlando into seven turnovers before the break.
But the Magic began to pull away early in the second half. Toronto went three and a half minutes without a made field goal allowing Orlando to pull ahead by double digits.
Toronto’s second unit tried to keep it within striking distance, but the Magic began to heat up from three-point range and there was nothing the Raptors could do.
Banchero dropped 14 of his 29 points in the third quarter and a catch-and-shoot three-pointer from Jalen Suggs put the Magic up 16 late in the quarter. Minutes later, Suggs picked off a pass from Jahmi'us Ramsey and nailed a pull-up three to keep Toronto at bay.
It didn’t help that Immanuel Quickley struggled to find a rhythm against Orlando’s size. He looked uncomfortable trying to play make, throwing ill-advised and errant passes, particularly in the third. He had four turnovers after halftime and finished the night with just 12 points on 4-for-15 shooting.
Gradey Dick had a similarly off night, recording a season-high three turnovers in 27 minutes. He nearly threw a stellar kick-out pass to Kelly Olynyk in the corner in the second quarter, but Orlando rotated perfectly into position to intercept the pass.
For Dick, it seems starter’s minutes this late in the season might be too much to ask from a 20-year-old who was heading into March Madness at this time last year. He was minus-27 on Sunday just two days after turning in a minus-32 showing on Friday night again against Orlando.
If there has been a positive lately, it’s been the contribution Toronto has received from Jordan Nwora. He recorded his third straight double-digit performance with a team-high 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. He looked aggressive going to the hoop and tried to will Toronto back into the game with 12 points in the third.
Nwora is going to have to get better defensively. It’s why he’s not starting over Agbaji and has already been moved twice in his brief NBA career. But the offense appears to be real and if Toronto wants to keep him around this summer, maybe there’s some untapped potential in the 25-year-old forward.
The Raptors have now lost seven straight and considering how tough their remaining schedule is compared to the Grizzlies, it seems entirely possible Toronto jumps Memphis in the reverse standings.
Up Next: Sacramento Kings
The Raptors will have a couple of days off before returning home Wednesday to host the Sacramento Kings at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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