Raptors dominate Magic with a 31-0 scoring streak
TORONTO — The Raptors achieved a record-setting 31-0 run in the first half to dominate the Magic 139-87 on Sunday night, marking the seventh defeat in the last eight games for a struggling Orlando team.
After falling behind 20-14 with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter, the Raptors launched a 31-point streak, the longest uninterrupted run in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98), as reported by ESPN Research.
RJ Barrett contributed 24 points, while Scottie Barnes added 23 points along with a career-high 15 assists for the Raptors, who maintained their position in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings following their largest win of the season.
Orlando, having ended a six-game losing streak with a victory over Sacramento on Thursday, found themselves overwhelmed by the Raptors after a dismal first quarter. The Magic initially led 18-11 after a three-pointer by Jalen Suggs with 6:35 left in the first, but Toronto countered with a 27-2 run to finish the period.
Orlando recorded 12 turnovers in the first quarter, resulting in 14 points for the Raptors. Toronto capitalized on 28 Magic turnovers to score 37 points. Orlando made 31 field goals.
Following Paolo Banchero’s jump shot with 5:30 left in the first, the Magic did not score again until Banchero hit another shot with 9:42 remaining in the second.
Raptors forward Brandon Ingram missed his second game in four outings due to a sore right heel, joining Collin Murray-Boyles (back spasms) and Immanuel Quickley (right foot) on the injured list.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
