Orlando lost 99-129 at Toronto, and Franz Wagner's seven turnovers were the biggest problem in a game the Raptors led by 33. The Magic play the same team on Friday, with Jonathan Isaac the only player who could return.
Toronto's pressure turned Wagner's handle into the story.
Wagner scored 15 points but had 7 turnovers in 34 minutes. Anthony Black added 4 more and finished minus-25 in 22 minutes. Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily wrote that the Magic have put the ball in Wagner's hands to start their offense, and that Toronto's size and gap pressure kept him from kicking the ball out cleanly. Sean Sweeney told the Orlando Sentinel, "Their pressure got to us at times." The rematch will show whether Orlando has an answer for that pressure.
Friday's rematch brings almost no help.
Orlando stayed in Toronto and plays the Raptors again on Oct. 30 to open NBA Cup group play. Both teams come in on two days' rest. Toronto will again be without Kawhi Leonard and Nate Bittle. Isaac's estimated return date is Oct. 30. Suggs is projected back Nov. 10, Noah Penda and Izaiyah Nelson Nov. 18, and Banchero Nov. 22. After Friday, Boston and Washington visit Orlando on Nov. 1 and 2.
Da Silva gave Orlando something to build on.
Da Silva scored 20 points off the bench on 8-of-10 shooting, made 4 of 5 threes and had no turnovers in 31 minutes. Jase Richardson scored 10 in 14 minutes and had the team's best plus-minus at minus-5. Desmond Bane went 3 of 14. The Orlando Sentinel reported that Toronto made 43% of its threes and Orlando 29%.
The open question is who else can drive.
At 1-3, Orlando sits 11th, half a game behind the 2-3 Knicks for 10th. Rossman-Reich wrote that Toronto could crowd Wagner because no other Magic player forces a defense to worry about drives. Until Suggs and Banchero return, Black and Richardson have to take on part of that job. Black was cleared Oct. 28 after a day-to-day listing for personal reasons, so Friday is his chance to show what he can do with a full night's work.
When do the Magic play the Raptors again?
Friday, Oct. 30, in Toronto. It is Orlando's NBA Cup group-stage opener.
When are Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs expected back?
Suggs, out with a knee injury, has an estimated return date of Nov. 10. Banchero, out with an ankle injury, is estimated to return Nov. 22.
