Fred VanVleet had 21 points and 10 assists, and the Toronto Raptors held on to beat the Orlando Magic 109-99 on Wednesday night.
Pascal Siakam added 15 points and Kyle Lowry finished with eight points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
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Fred VanVleet had 21 points and 10 assists, and the Toronto Raptors held on to beat the Orlando Magic 109-99 on Wednesday night.
The Magic (32-37) missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot following Washington’s loss to Philadelphia earlier Wednesday. But they maintained their 7 1/2-game lead over the Wizards for the eighth seed with four seeding games to play.
Lowry received a Flagrant 1 foul after a review by officials. Gordon had nine points and 11 rebounds at the time of his injury.
But that would be as close as they would get to rest of the way.
TIP-INS
UP NEXT
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark (12) shoots a three pointer against Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives against Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Toronto (49-18) has won its last seven dating back to before the hiatus and three straight games since the restart.
Orlando Magic guard D.J. Augustin (14) shoots a three pointer against Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
The Magic (32-37) missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot following Washington’s loss to Philadelphia earlier Wednesday. But they maintained their 7 1/2-game lead over the Wizards for the eighth seed with four seeding games to play.
They also may be without forward Aaron Gordon for an undetermined amount of time after he left the game in the third quarter with a left hamstring injury after taking a hard foul from Lowry.
Gordon was going up for a dunk and was hit on the arm as Lowry went to strip the ball. Gordon’s left leg extended high in the air before he crashed to the floor and immediately reached for his left hamstring. He was able to shoot the ensuing free throws but then struggled to run down the court. He went to the locker room on the next timeout.
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) is held back by guard Evan Fournier (10) after getting fouled by Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Lowry received a Flagrant 1 foul after a review by officials. Gordon had nine points and 11 rebounds at the time of his injury.
Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross each had 15 points for Orlando.
Despite Gordon’s exit, the Magic cut into the Raptors’ 20-point halftime lead, trimming it to 78-71 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
Shoes worn by Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) are seen during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
But that would be as close as they would get to rest of the way.
The Raptors spaced the floor well early, building a 24-8 lead in the opening period. They also were active on the defensive end, limiting Orlando to 5-of-20 shooting (0 for 9 from 3-point line). Orlando finished the quarter with 11 points, a season low by a Toronto opponent.
Toronto carried its momentum into the second quarter, taking a 51-30 lead late on the second of back-to-back 3-pointers by Lowry. The Raptors held a 55-35 advantage at halftime.
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
TIP-INS
Raptors: Patrick McCaw (left knee soreness) and Oshae Brissett (right knee soreness) both missed their third straight game.
Magic: The 35 points they scored in the first half were a low for any half this season. … Michael Carter-Williams sat with a sore left foot.
Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard Fred VanVleet (23) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) talk in the first half against the Orlando Magic during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
UP NEXT
Raptors: Play Celtics on Friday.
Magic: Play 76ers on Friday.
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) shoots against Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Orlando Magic forward Gary Clark (12) shoots a three pointer against Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) drives against Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim KlementPool Photo via AP)