The Toronto Raptors were playing their fifth game in seven nights, and coach Dwane Casey took a gamble. He put the responsibility of defeating the Orlando Magic on eight members of his roster and rested the balance. Despite allowing the Magic to hang around all game, and missing a boatload of free throws, his tiny rotation rewarded their bench boss’ faith.
First Half
The Raptors got off to the kind of start they needed to, pulling ahead 15-5 after less than 6 minutes. But the finger-in-the-dike lineup started to slip after that. Norman Powell seemed tentative and Delon Wright was substituted in early.