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Final: Orlando Magic 114 - Toronto Raptors 100
April 20, 2008 - Amway Arena
1 2 3 4 F
RAPTORS 23 24 28 25 100
MAGIC 43 17 25 29 114
Box Score | Play-By-Play | Postgame Quotes | Baseline Blog | Video | Photos


LIVE POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCES
Moments after the conclusion of the game, click here to access a live video stream of the postgame press conference, featuring Orlando's Stan Van Gundy and Toronto's Sam Mitchell, in addition to several players from each team.



By Nick Adams | OrlandoMagic.com

FOURTH QUARTER
"Mr. Fourth Quarter" Hedo Turkoglu begins the final period by netting two free-throws but the Raptors answer back with four straight to cut the Magic lead down to seven points. Kapono strokes a trey and Van Gundy calls a timeout with the Magic clinging to a 88-83 lead with ten minutes remaining in the contest.

It's "Turk Time" as Hedo drills a jumper and then feeds Howard for a slam to put the Magic back up by nine. The Magic go on a 8-0 run capped off by a Howard two-handed monster tip-dunk to ignite the blue and white crowd forcing a Raptors timeout as the Magic lead 96-83 with 7:45 to go.

It is so loud in this building that my ears have begun to hurt as Nelson converts a layup and adds to free-throws to sustain a 14-point Magic lead.

Bosh has checked back into the game for the Raptors and Toronto is feeding him any chance they get. Toronto has gone to a smaller lineup with more shooters in order to cut into the Magic lead, and because of the smaller lineup, Howard is guarding Bosh. The two are having a very physical battle down low.

Toronto trims the Magic lead to ten but Jameer Nelson hits a huge jumper as the shot clock winds down to give the Magic a 102-90 lead as we head under four minutes.

The teams go back-and-forth and the Magic lead by eleven at the two-minute warning. The Raptors will more than likely be fouling for the remainder of the game.

Everyone is on their feet at Amway as Turk nails a jumper to cap off a 114-100 Magic victroy in Game 1.

Final: Orlando Magic 114, Toronto Raptors 100

THIRD QUARTER
"Blue & White Ignite!" I don't think there is a better phrase to describe the first half as the Magic ignited the blue and white clad Amway crowd with their near flawless play in the first two periods. Let's hope the Magic can come out with the same intensity in the second half.

T.J Ford scores the first three points of the third period but Dwight Howard answers with a two-handed slam to sustain the double digit Magic lead. Chris Bosh, who was held to just seven points in the first half, converts a three-point play to bring the Raptors within nine points at 62-53, three minutes into the third quarter.

The Magic have started the second half looking to get Howard involved and Howard has scored four points in the early stages of the third quarter. With the Magic pounding the ball inside, it has opened up the perimeter as Turk and Lewis can back-to-back triples to put the Magic back ahead by 15 points.

Toronto hits back-to-back three-pointers to force a timeout from Van Gundy as the Magic lead 70-61 at the seven minute mark in the third.

The Magic need to keep this lead above double digits and can't let the Raptors hang around. Howard skies for a rebound and throws down a two-handed slam and swats another Toronto shot into the stands to ignite the crowd following the timeout. Nelson hits a mid-range jumper put the Magic back up by 13 points.

Both teams have gone to their superstars down in the paint as the Raptors are feeding Bosh on offense. Bosh has scored nine points this quarter and leads all scorers with 16 points. Rashard Lewis has done an outstanding job on Bosh today holding him to just three field-goals, but Bosh has scored ten of his 16 points from the free-throw line. Lewis has not needed a double-team to guard Bosh and this has allowed the other Magic players to stay on their men therefore not allowing open shots.

Anthony Parker throws in a slam as the Raptors have cut the Magic lead down to seven points as we head to the two-minute warning in the third period.

Great news for the Magic as Bosh commits his fourth foul and has to sit on the Toronto bench. Howard splits a pair from the charity stripe where he is 8-for-9 and Dooling throws in a jumper to increase the Magic lead back to double digits.

The third period ends with a Turkoglu basket to give the Magic a 85-75 lead heading into the final period.

End of Third: Orlando Magic 85, Toronto Raptors 75

SECOND QUARTER
The Magic begin the second quarter having set a record for first quarter points in an NBA playoff game with their 43 points on 16-of-20 shooting from the field including 9-of-11 from downtown. The nine three-pointers also ties an NBA Playoff record for most three-pointers in the first quarter.

Let's hope the Magic have saved something for the remaining three quarters. Van Gundy calls a timeout immediately to start the quarter, and I think this is a great timeout because I think he wants to somewhat slow his team down and remind them that they need to keep playing their game now that the adrenaline of the first quarter has ended.

The timeout has seemed to work as the Magic have increased their lead to 22 points. The Raptors get back-to-back hoops but Turkoglu answers as he weaves his way through the Toronto defense for an emphatic one-handed slam.

Orlando can do no wrong right now as Bogans hits his second three-pointer of the game to give the Magic a 54-41 lead halfway through the second period.

My buddy texted me this morning wondering who would win today and I told him I would let him know as soon as I saw the teams shootaround. I immediately texted him back once I got to the arena and said the Magic because I saw the focus in their eyes. Orlando has come out today with a chip on their shoulder as if they have something to prove.

Rashard Lewis has done a superb job on Chris Bosh holding him to just seven points on 1-of-5 shooting thus far. Mo Evans is on fire and he drills his game-high 14th point of a three pointer from the corner. Kapono answers with two triples of his own as Van Gundy calls a timeout with the Magic still firmly ahead by a score of 60-43 as we head under three minutes in the first half.

Toronto goes on a little run to cut the Magic lead down to 13 points as we head under a minute. The half ends with the Magic leading 60-47.

Halftime: Orlando Magic 60, Toronto Raptors 47

FIRST QUARTER
Howard taps back to Nelson as the Magic control the first possession of today's ballgame. Nelson rises up and nails a jumper as the Amway crowd erupts. Turkoglu gets back-to-back baskets at the rim as the Magic are off to an outstanding start.

The Raptors score four straight but Mo Evans and Rashard Lewis stroke consecutive triples to put the Magic ahead 13-8, just four minutes into the ballgame.

Howard banks in a jump shot from about 12 feet and Nelson drills another three-pointer as the roof blows off at Amway forcing a Raptors timeout with the Magic sprinting to a 18-8 lead. The Magic have not missed a shot from the field converting on their first seven attempts including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Each Magic starter has scored led by Jameer Nelson's six points.

I can't express to you how difficult it is to type and concentrate right now with all the excitement in this arena. Each fan is equipped with a drum paddle and it is extremely hard to hear anything.

The Raptors timeout has not cooled off the Magic any as Evans hits two more baskets and Nelson adds two free-throws to give the Magic a 25-14 lead halfway through the first period.

Not only are the Magic absolutely on fire (10-for-12) but they are doing a tremendous job at the defensive as Howard thows his second Toronto shot into the stands.

This is unreal...Lewis scores four straight and Evans drills another three-pointer as everyone in Amway Arena jumps out of their seat. The Raptors are forced to take a timeout with the Magic in command of a 32-17 lead as we head under three minutes remaining in the first.

I am just laughing in disbelief of what is taking place. You could not have scripted a better start to playoffs for the Magic. Howard is a beast inside, blocking anything that comes near the rim, and all the perimeter players are drilling every single shot. Lewis cans yet another trey as the Magic are shooting 13-for-16 including 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. Van Gundy calls a timeout with the Magic leading 35-20 at the two minute mark.

Forgive me if there are any typos because I can't begin to keep up with all of this and I am trying to type while watching the game. Keyon Dooling checks into the ballgame and joins in the scoring parade by knocking down back-to-back jumpers as the Magic lead 41-23.

Howard throws in a hook to cap off one of the best quarters in NBA Playoff history as the Magic tie a record for most three-pointers in a quarter with nine triples.

End of First: Orlando Magic 43, Toronto Raptors 23

PREGAME
The 2008 NBA Playoffs have officially arrived in Orlando as the hometown Magic get ready to take on the Toronto Raptors in game one of the first round.

The excitement as I made my way into Amway Arena this afternoon was overwhelming. I had to weave my way through hundreds of Magic fans decked out in blue and white chanting the Magic playoff slogan of "Blue and White Ignite".

Inside the arena was no different as the colors blue and white surrounded me at every turn, and when I walked through the tunnel onto the floor I was greeted to a half blue, half white arena. Amway is divided up into two sides as the home side sports blue shirts on all the fans and sit backs, and the road side fans and seats are decorated in white.

My very first NBA basketball game was a playoff game on May 13, 1992 at the Richfield Coliseum as the Cleveland Cavaliers took on the Boston Celtics. I was days away from my seven birthday, so I could vaguely remember the excitement and atmosphere in the arena. I have been to plenty of sporting events, baseball playoff games, NFL games, and I have even played in some meaningful games, but this has by far been the greatest sports experience of my life.

MAGIC INJURY REPORT
Tony Battie – Out, torn rotator cuff, left shoulder – underwent successful surgery on Oct. 24; will likely miss the entire season.
Brian Cook – Out, fractured third metacarpal, right hand.

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT:
Toronto (First Round, NBA Playoffs 2008): Orlando is 25-21 all-time vs. Toronto (14-8 at home, 11-13 on the road) during regular season action, including 2-1 this season (see recaps below)…The Magic went 0-4 last season against the Raptors...The Magic have lost seven of the last 10 games in the series…Orlando has split the last 10 matchups at home, but lost seven of the last nine games at Toronto…Carlos Arroyo began his NBA career with the Raptors in 2001-02…Assistant Coach Brendan Malone was the first-ever head coach of the Toronto Raptors in 1995-96…Assistant Coach Bob Beyer served as an assistant for the Raptors in 2003-04 and as an advanced scout in 2004-05…For last season’s stats and Magic career numbers vs. Toronto, see p. 285 of the media guide…Nov. 7 @ Toronto – Magic 105, Raptors 96: All five Magic starters scored in double figures, led by Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis with 24 points each, as Orlando defeated Toronto, 105-96, at Air Canada Centre. It was Orlando’s third consecutive victory and third straight away from home. Turkoglu added a career-high 15 rebounds and six assists for the Magic. Keith Bogans tallied 17 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Chris Bosh led the Raptors with a game-high 26 points and 10 boards. Orlando exploded out of the gates, opening the game with a 17-4 run, led 31-23 after the first quarter and 52-47 at halftime. Leading 78-74, the Magic opened the final stanza with a 7-0 run and led 85-74 with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Raptors answered with an 11-0 run of their own and took a 92-91 edge after a three-pointer by Andrea Bargnani with 3:56 left. Orlando would quickly answer with three-point shots from Lewis and Jameer Nelson, putting the game on ice…Feb. 20 @ Toronto – Raptors 127, Magic 110: Chris Bosh scored 40 points on 14-of-16 shooting from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line, as Toronto defeated Orlando, 127-110, at Air Canada Centre. Carlos Delfino netted 23 points for the Raptors, while Jose Calderon added 19 points and 13 assists. Toronto shot a blistering 58.8 percent from the floor and made 11-of-20 from three-point range. Dwight Howard led six Magic players in double figures with 37 points and 15 rebounds. Toronto led for most of the contest and by as many as 21 points during the second half. The Raptors dished out 33 assists on their 47 field goals… Mar. 4 vs. Toronto – Magic 102, Raptors 87: Dwight Howard scored 16 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors, 102-87, in front of a sellout crowd at Amway Arena. Orlando shot 75 percent (12-of-16) while outscoring the Raptors 31-19 in the game’s final 12 minutes to capture their fifth consecutive win at home, tying a team high for the season. Hedo Turkoglu led all scorers with a game-high 24 points, while also adding a team-leading eight assists and seven rebounds, and Rashard Lewis added 22 on 9-of-13 shooting for the Magic. The Raptors, who were without Chris Bosh, had four double-digit performers, led by T.J. Ford’s 20 points off the bench.
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. RAPTORS: 38 pts., Tracy McGrady (@ Orlando, 11-12-02)
BEST ALL-TIME SCORING PERFORMANCE VS. MAGIC: 41 pts., Chris Bosh (@ Toronto, 2-7-07)