Toronto beat Orlando 129-99 on Wednesday behind 28 points from Scottie Barnes, improving to 3-1 with Kawhi Leonard out until an estimated November 23. The same Magic team returns Friday, and the talk in Toronto has already shifted from replacing Leonard to the center position.
The Paint Was His
TSN's Josh Lewenberg noted that Barnes made nine of his 10 attempts in the paint, a strong response to an earlier scoreless night. How he scored mattered more than how much: downhill drives, contact and six trips to the line without a miss. Toronto's starters scored 85 points. Jamal Shead added 13 points and seven assists off the bench, the same night the Toronto Star wrote about his leadership.
A Problem in the Middle
Lewenberg also wrote that the Raptors "have a Jakob Poeltl problem." Through four games Poeltl is averaging 2.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. According to Lewenberg, Rajakovic said the staff will "take a look at film" and called himself a big believer in Poeltl. Poeltl's $19.5 million deal carries a player option, and his extension is still unresolved. With Nate Bittle out until an estimated November 2, Toronto has little depth behind him.
Friday, Then the West
The rematch is Friday, October 30, at home and counts in the NBA Cup. Orlando is 1-3 and is still missing Banchero, Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Noah Penda and Izaiyah Nelson. Tristan da Silva hit eight of 10 shots off the bench on Wednesday, so Orlando does have shooting left. After Friday, Toronto plays the Lakers on November 1, the Clippers a night later, then Denver and Milwaukee. The question is whether Rajakovic's film review changes Poeltl's role before the Raptors face those frontcourts.
When do the Raptors play the Magic again?
Friday, October 30, at home in an NBA Cup game. Toronto won the first meeting 129-99 on October 28.
When is Kawhi Leonard expected back for the Raptors?
Leonard is out with a left knee issue and has an estimated return date of November 23. Hoopsrumors reported on October 27 that he was expected to miss weeks.
