With defense clicking, Raptors focused on deep playoff run

The Toronto Raptors have reason to believe this is the year their playoff run doesn't end in failure and frustration.

Just ask the Orlando Magic, who have seen firsthand how good this Raptors team can be.

Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Pascal Siakam added 24 and the Raptors routed the Magic 115-96 on Tuesday night, winning their first-round playoff series in five games.

Orlando Magic forward Jarell Martin (2) shoots as Toronto Raptors guard Patrick McCaw (1) and Toronto Raptors forward Malcolm Miller (13) defend during the second half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Tuesday, April 23, 2019 in Toronto. (Frank GunnCanadian Press via AP)

Toronto, which has made six straight postseason appearances, has reached the second round for the fourth straight year.

Buoyed by the offseason additions of Leonard and guard Danny Green, plus trade deadline pickup Marc Gasol, these Raptors are focused on a conference finals berth, and maybe more.

"We know what we are and what we can be," guard Kyle Lowry said.

So does Orlando coach Steve Clifford.

"To me, this is by far the best team they've had here in this stretch," Clifford said of the Raptors. "This is a terrific team here. Terrific."

Toronto lost 104-101 in Game 1 when Orlando's D.J. Augustin hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 4.2 seconds to play. After that, the Raptors clamped down defensively and held the Magic below 100 in each of the next four.

"As the series went on, they started playing much better," Magic center Nikola Vucevic said. "They stepped up their game on both ends of the floor and we weren't able to do that. It showed each game."

Toronto set a team record with 34 assists in 41 made baskets in Tuesday's clincher, and held the Magic to below 40 percent shooting for the third time in four.

"The consistent defensive intensity the last four games has been impressive," Raptors guard Fred VanVleet said. "As long as we keep that defensive focus, we have enough guys to make enough plays on the offensive end."

Toronto's previous three postseason runs were all ended by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, including a six-game defeat in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, and consecutive second-round sweeps in 2017 and 2018. The most recent of those defeats led to the dismissal of Coach of the Year Dwane Casey last May, and laid the groundwork for last July's trade that sent franchise icon DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio as part of a package that brought back Leonard and guard Danny Green.

"We're getting better," said Raptors forward Pascal Siakam, a candidate for the NBA's most improved player. "We're just working hard to kind of gel together and figure things out. Obviously, we can always improve, but it's starting to click a little bit."

Tuned in at both ends of the floor, the Raptors now have a few days to rest and get ready for Philadelphia in round two.

"They're very talented," Magic forward Aaron Gordon said of Toronto. "They have a great leader and great point guard in Kyle. They seem to be very balanced."

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)