Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic: Game preview, TV channel, start time

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Who's Playing

Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic

Records: Raptors (13-4), Magic (7-10)

Where to Watch

Date: Nov. 29, 2019

Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: Sportsnet

Location: Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Game Preview

For the third time in the 2019-20 season and the second time in the last 10 days, the Toronto Raptors are set to take on the Orlando Magic.

If it feels like you just read a preview for a game between these two teams, you probably did.

After dropping Game 1 in the first round of the 2019 playoffs, the Raptors have won six straight over the Magic – four to close out last year's playoff series plus the first two meetings of this season, both of which were played at Scotiabank Arena.

Now, Toronto heads to the Amway Center, where Orlando is 6-3 this season.

MORE: Takeaways from the Raptors' Nov. 20 win over the Magic

The Raptors, who last lost on Nov. 16, enter the night on a five-game win streak that has propelled them towards the top of the Eastern Conference despite dealing with injuries. Conversely, injuries have had an adverse effect on the Magic, who have won just one of their last five.

All-Star centre Nikola Vucevic and rising star Aaron Gordon are dealing with right ankle injuries, both suffered in the team's loss to the Raptors on Nov. 20. In their absence, Canadian big man Khem Birch (Montreal, QC) and third-year forward Wes Iwundu have assumed starting roles.

While Vucevic has struggled against the Raptors since the team acquired Marc Gasol, his absence will be felt as he has already been listed as out for Friday's meeting. Gordon appears to be a game-time decision.

As for Toronto, the team will likely be down six players once again as Matt Thomas recently joined Dewan Hernandez, Serge Ibaka, Stanley Johnson and Patrick McCaw on the inactive list. While Ibaka is inching closer to his return, as of Thursday night he was listed as doubtful.

It's certainly been a "next man up" mentality for the Raptors, who have enjoyed the contributions of rookie Terence Davis II as well as Chris Boucher and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson over this recent stretch.

Of course, it all begins and ends with Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, who have seamlessly assumed larger roles with the team this season. Siakam enters the night averaging a career-best 26.0 points per game while VanVleet's 18.3 points per game are also a career-best.

MORE: Siakam has become an entirely new player – again

Thanks in large part to the play of this duo, Toronto has taken care of business, as it is now 11-0 against teams with losing records this season. As the Raptors face the 7-10 Magic Friday, they'll look to continue that trend.

Injury Report

Raptors

  • Dewan Hernandez (thumb) – Out
  • Serge Ibaka (ankle) – Doubtful
  • Stanley Johnson (groin) – Out
  • Kyle Lowry (thumb) – Out
  • Patrick McCaw (knee) – Out
  • Matt Thomas (finger) – Out

Magic

  • Michael Carter-Williams (hip) – Out
  • Aaron Gordon (ankle) – Doubtful
  • Nikola Vucevic (ankle) – Out

Game Notes

  • The Raptors' five-game win streak is a season-high
  • Pascal Siakam is averaging 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in two games against the Magic this season.
  • The Raptors enter the night with a 5-4 road record and are set to play 11 of their next 16 games at home.
  • Orlando has earned six of its seven wins this season at the Amway Center.
  • Toronto has won eight of its last 10 regular season games over Orlando and 12 of its last 15 overall.
  • Terrence Ross (363 games) and DJ Augustin (10 games) each spent time with the Raptors earlier in their respective careers.

Last Time They Played

Date: Nov. 20, 2019

Score: Raptors 113, Magic 97

Raptors: Fred VanVleet – 24 points (10-19 FG), 7 assists, 2 steals

Magic: Evan Fournier – 21 points (7-15 FG), 3 assists, 3 steals

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Author(s)
Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.