Game four of eighty-two is here, and the two Eastern Conference teams have already suffered three big injury blows. Toronto comes into the night with a 2-1 record, while the Magic are just 1-2.
Raptors outlook
Record: 2-1 (Tied for 5th in Eastern Conference)
Offensive Rating: 108.3 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: 97.8 (1st)
Net Rating: 10.5 (3rd)
Raptors previous results
@ Timberwolves 117-94 L
@ Wizards 112-102 W
vs. Bulls 135-92 W
The Raptors come back home after a 1-1 split on a mini two-game road trip where they beat the new-look Washington Wizards before getting blown out against the Minnesota Timberwolves to lose their first game of the season. Kawhi Leonard was out for the game and will now miss an extended period of time. Scottie Barnes had his worst showing of the season, and perhaps his career, going 0-for-12 from the field and failing to score. Jakob Poeltl also struggled yet again as he had 0 points in 19 minutes. The only positives in Minnesota were Ja’Kobe Walter, who went for 22 points as he replaced the injured Kawhi Leonard in the starting lineup; RJ Barrett, who’s now three-for-three in 20+ points per game this season; and rookie Allen Graves, who cracked double digits for the first time in his career with 11 points.
Magic outlook
Record: 1-2 (10th in Eastern Conference)
Offensive Rating: 106.5 (24th)
Defensive Rating: 111.9 (18th)
Net Rating: -5.4 (21st)
Magic previous results:
@ Knicks 111-102 W
vs Timberwolves 115-93 L
vs Hawks 132-125 L
The Orlando Magic started their season 0-2, got blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves, recently like the Raptors, then picked up their first win against the defending champions New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. They’ve suffered two recent injuries to starters Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero, who are both out for this game, which will be a big sigh of relief for the Raptors. Jonathan Isaac, a mainstay in their rotation due to his defensive abilities, will also be out for tonight’s game. The Magic are struggling to generate offence, but their defence is almost mid-table right now, so this could be an ugly outing, with Toronto not having the best offence right now either, especially without Kawhi.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. ET
Television: TSN / TSN+
Radio: Sportsnet 590
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Starting Lineups (Projected)
Orlando Magic
PG: Anthony Black
SG: Jase Richardson
SF: Desmond BaneÂ
PF: Franz Wagner
C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Toronto Raptors
PG: Immanuel Quickley
SG: RJ Barrett
SF: Ja’Kobe Walter
PF: Scottie Barnes
C: Jakob Poeltl
Injury Report
Toronto Raptors
Nate Bittle – Out (Right Foot Avulsion Fracture)
Malachi Smith – Out (G-League Two-Way)
Kawhi Leonard – Out (Left Knee Effusion/Swelling)
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero – Out (Right Low-Grade Ankle Sprain)
Jonathan Isaac – Out (Left Knee Injury Management)
Izaiyah Nelson – Out (Left Ankle Injury Recovery)
Noah Pendah – Out (Right Partially Torn Hamstring)
Jalen Suggs – Out (Right Knee Contusion/Bone Bruise)
