The Orlando Magic host the Toronto Raptors at Kia Center on March 4 at 7:00 PM ET. Orlando sits at 8th in the Eastern Conference with a 29-33 record, while Toronto is 13th at 19-42. The Raptors won the last meeting 104-102 on March 2, securing their second win in three matchups against the Magic this season.
Orlando has lost three straight games and is looking to turn things around at home. The Raptors snapped their own three-game skid with the win over the Magic and will try to take another victory before heading back home. With both teams struggling, this is an important game for Orlando in the play-in race.
Orlando Preview – Can They End the Losing Streak?
Orlando nearly completed a comeback on Sunday, erasing a 19-point deficit before falling short in the final seconds. Franz Wagner scored 25 points, while Paolo Banchero added 23 in the loss. The Magic are now 1-4 on their current homestand, matching a season-high for home losses in a stretch.
Offensively, Orlando is averaging 112.1 points per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Wagner and Banchero lead the team in scoring, with Banchero also contributing 5.2 assists per game. Wendell Carter Jr. has been a solid presence inside, averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Defensively, the Magic allow 113.8 points per game but have struggled inside. Toronto dominated the paint in the last meeting, outscoring Orlando 58-38. The Magic will need to improve rebounding and interior defense to avoid another loss to the Raptors.
Toronto Preview – Can They Sweep the Mini-Series?
The Raptors got a needed win on Sunday, holding off Orlando late to break their three-game losing streak. Immanuel Quickley led the way with 24 points, scoring 17 after halftime. RJ Barrett added 22 points, and Jakob Poeltl had 16 points and 11 rebounds to help control the paint.
Toronto averages 109.5 points per game while shooting 45.6% from the floor. Barrett leads the team in scoring with 21.7 points per game, followed by Scottie Barnes at 19.8. Quickley has stepped up as a key contributor in the backcourt, providing both scoring and playmaking.
On defense, the Raptors allow 117.3 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league. They have struggled with three-point defense but have been effective in rebounding and interior play. With injuries piling up, they will need another big effort from their starters to pull off a second straight win.
Betting Prediction
Orlando has struggled at home lately but should have an edge in this one. The Magic nearly won on Sunday despite a poor start and should be more focused this time. Their offense has been more efficient, and they have more depth than the injury-plagued Raptors.
Orlando should cover the spread and get back in the win column. The total has gone under in most Orlando games this season, and another low-scoring contest is likely.
Pick: Orlando Magic -4.5, Under 220.5
Enjoy this National Basketball Association tilt between a pair of teams from the Eastern Conference.
