FINAL: Orlando Magic 104 - Toronto Raptors 103

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April 22, 2008 - Amway Arena

	1	2	3	4	F
RAPTORS	18	39	21	25	103
MAGIC	35	24	24	21	104

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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
The Amway crowd begins the fourth quarter on their feet as the Magic are 12 minutes away from taking a commanding 2-0 series lead. Howard has taken over this game and he scores the first points of the final period to give him 26 points and 16 rebounds thus far.

Orlando scores the first four points of the final period but Kapono answers with a jumper as the Magic lead 87-80, three minutes into the fourth. Lewis scores on Delfino, who looks more like a day-time Soap Opera star than a basketball player with his cold blank stares, to force a Raptors timeout.

Bargnani hits back-to-back jumpers as the Raptors claw back within two points at 89-87 with 6:54 remaining.

The pressure and intensity in the building has begun to pick up as Howard throws down another tip-dunk to give the Magic a 92-87 advantage as we head under five minutes.

Bogans hits a huge three-pointer from the corner right after Chris Bosh brought the Raptors within a point with two free-throws. Bogans drills another triple to bring all 17,000 plus fans in Amway to their feet as the Raptors call a timeout.

Delfino and Calderon answer with treys of their own to cut the Magic lead to one at 98-97 with 2:28 left in the game.

Howard leads all scorers with 29 points to go along with 20 rebounds. With his second consecutive 20-20 game, Howard becomes the first NBA player since Nate Thurmond in 1969 to record back-to-back 20-20 games in the playoffs.

Lewis bails out Turk by putting back his airball but Calderon answers with a three-pointer to tie the ballgame at 100 apiece. Delfino splits a pair from the charity stripe to give the Raptors a one-point lead with one minute remaining.

Turkoglu, "Mr. Fourth Quarter", hits a tough runner in the lane to put the Magic ahead 102-101 with 30 seconds left.

Howard forces Bosh into a tough shot and the Magic get the rebound...the Raptors are forced to foul Turk and sends Hedo to the line...Turk calmly nails both. Delfino scores a quick two to make it a one point Magic lead with 9.6 seconds remaining.

Keyon Dooling gets called for an offensive foul on Calderon who flops to the floor as if he had been shot. The Raptors have the ball with 9.3 seconds down by one...Calderon dishes to Bosh who misses at the buzzer. Magic win and take a 2-0 series lead!

Final: Orlando Magic 104, Toronto Raptors 103

THIRD QUARTER
Let's hope the Magic can come out strong to begin the second half to make up for being outscored 39-24 by Toronto in the second period. Andrea Bargnani keeps the momentum going for the Raptors by drilling two quick jumpers to give the Raptors their first lead of the ballgame at 61-59.

The Magic have gone cold missing their first five shots while the Raptors have jumped out to a 7-0 run. Nelson ends the Magic drought by stroking a triple and Howard gets a dunk to tie the ballgame back up at 64.

Howard has taken the game over and scores five straight points for the Magic including a two-handed monster put-back slam to force a Raptors timeout with the Magic leading 71-66 at the halfway point in the third period.

Kapono ends the Howard run by drilling a mid-range jumper but Nelson answers with back-to-back triples from the exact same spot to give the Magic a nine point lead.

The Magic have done a wonderful job on Chris Bosh this quarter holding him to just two points with three minutes left in the period. Kapono hits another one from downtown for his 17th point off the Raptors bench.

Things once again get heated as Howard goes up strong and finishes over Carlos Delfino and has some words for Delfino after. Howard is hit with a technical but Delfino continues to talk trash. The game has turned very physical and the crowd seems to be egging on the action. This is playoff basketball at its finest.

Howard has carried the Magic this quarter scoring 11 points and grabbing six boards in the third. He throws in a hook as the quarter ends with the Magic leading 83-78.

End of Third: Orlando Magic 83, Toronto Raptors 78

SECOND QUARTER
The Magic start the second quarter the same way they started the first quarter by forcing a Toronto shot clock violation. Orlando's defense has been outstanding tonight holding Toronto to just 30 percent (7-23) shooting from the field.

Bosh scores the first points of the second period by converting a three-point play and Foyle answers back for the Magic by throwing in a jump hook. Bosh hits another jumper and Kapono strokes a trey to force a timeout from Van Gundy with the Magic leading 37-26.

Bosh is beginning to heat up and he buckets his game-high 13th point from the charity stripe to trim the Magic lead down to ten points. Bogans and Dooling net three-pointers as the Magic sustain a 14-point advantage.

Both teams begin to heat up and go back-and-forth. Howard splits a pair from the free-throw line as the crowd chants "M-V-P". Toronto goes on a run and the Magic lead has disappeared as Van Gundy calls a timeout with the Magic clinging to a 46-41 advantage as we hit the five minute mark in the second period.

The sharp shooting continues for both squads as Kapono and Nelson trade three-pointers. Things get real interesting as Turkoglu sends Bosh to the deck while contesting a fast-break layup. The referee immediately points for Turkoglu to be thrown out of the game with a flagrant two foul but after further review, the refs decide it was a flagrant one because Turkoglu was going after the ball. Turkoglu remains in the ballgame but the Magic lead has been cut to three points.

You have to love playoff basketball. Every playoff series thus far has been extremely physical and this series has been no different. Bosh and Howard got into a bit of a scuffle in Game One and there has been plenty of words and shoving going on here in Game Two.

Toronto ties the game at 55 as Bosh burries a triple and Carlos Delfino buckets a layup. Lewis quickly gives the Magic back the lead by making two free-throws and Maurice Evans dunks home two more as the Magic take a four point lead.

T.J. Ford makes two free-throws as the half ends with the Magic clinging to a 59-57 lead.

Halftime: Orlando Magic 59, Toronto Raptors 57

FIRST QUARTER
Good evening Magic fans and welcome to a packed and rowdy Amway Arena for tonight's Game Two matchup as the Magic get ready to take on the Toronto Raptors.

The arena is once again split at half-court with the right side covered in blue and the left side decked out in white for the Magic's "Blue & White Ignite" playoff campaign.

Nearly 18,000 fans stand and cheer as the two teams meet at center court for the opening tip between Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh. Joining Howard in the Magic starting lineup is Jameer Nelson, Maurice Evans, Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis while the Raptors start T.J. Ford, Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani and Rasho Nesterovic alongside Bosh.

The Magic come out with the same focus and energy as they did in Game One forcing the Raptors into a shot clock violation on their first defensive possession. Howard calmly strokes two free-throws for the first points of tonight's ballgame and then goal tends a Rasho Nesterovic shot for the first Toronto points.

The crowd erupts as Turk throws down back-to-back dunks and Lewis takes a steal coast-to-coast for a slam to force a Raptors timeout with the Magic jumping out to an early 8-2 lead.

Bosh quiets the crowd briefly out of the timeout by knocking down a fadeaway jumper but Howard quickly answers back with a two-handed flush and a short hook shot. Nelson keeps the crowd on their feet by converting a 12-foot bank shot to give the Magic a 14-4 advantage halfway through the opening period.

Toronto made a starting lineup change by putting in the 7-foot Andrea Bargnani at the small forward for Jamario Moon, but the size upgrade has not translated into success in guarding the rim as the Magic have scored at will near the rim. Turk and Evans get two more buckets at the rim as the Magic have sprinted out to a 20-6 lead.

The Magic have once again come out with supreme energy and intensity at both ends of the floor forcing six Toronto turnovers while shooting 53 percent (9-17) from the floor.

Toronto goes on an 8-2 run to trim the Orlando lead down to 13 points as we head to the two-minute warning in the first quarter.

Bogans makes a nice feed to a cutting Howard who throws down another dunk for the Magic. I am not positive as to the exact number of dunks by the Magic this quarter but I have to bet it is between 6-8.

Keyon Dooling nails a jumper to close out the first quarter with the Magic in command of a 35-18 lead.

End of First: Orlando Magic 35, Toronto Raptors 18

SHOOTAROUND
Fresh off their first playoff victory since the 2003 post-season, the Orlando Magic were back out on the practice floor Monday afternoon at RDV Sportsplex in preparation for Game Two on Tuesday.

The victory also marked the first playoff win for some Magic players, most notably Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard.

Howard and Nelson had outstanding games in leading the Magic to the 114-100 win as Howard posted 25 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks while Nelson recorded 24 points to go along with seven assists.

The two young leaders of the Magic came out with supreme intensity and focus on Sunday, something head coach Stan Van Gundy feels will be the biggest challenge for not only Nelson and Howard, but the entire Magic team.

"They really wanted to get their first one, and that was great. The challenge for us now will be to bring that same focus and intensity for the remainder of the playoffs."

Van Gundy elaborated on Nelson and Howard's performances, "I have only coached him (Howard) for 83 games now and he has never played with the sustained focus and intensity he did on Sunday. The test for him now is to consistently play at that level every night."

"Jameer knows the challenge at hand," commented Van Gundy in regards to Nelson's play. I have said it all year, the two issues with Jameer has been his energy and aggressiveness. When he comes with both of those things, he is a very good player."

Nelson echoed his coaches' words, "When I am aggressive it helps out our team a lot. I am able to get inside opening up lanes for myself to score and then it also opens up shots for my teammates."

While Nelson and Howard provided the offensive spark, Rashard Lewis' carried the Magic at the defense end, holding Toronto's All-Star forward Chris Bosh to just 4-of-11 shooting from the field.

Lewis has not been known for his defense, and everyone was skeptical about how well the undersized Lewis matchup against Bosh, everyone but Lewis' teammates that is.

"People underestimate the size of Rashard," stated Nelson. "He is 6'-10" and he has some good weight on him. I am here with him everyday lifting weights and I see first hand what kind of weights he is putting up, so he is a strong guy."

"He looks like he is skinny, but he is strong," Howard added. "He is always in the weight room lifting. When Rashard puts his mind to it, he can do anything."

And do anything is what Lewis has done the entire season, playing out of position at power forward while surrendering his shot attempts on offensive, and now guarding the opposing team's best player.

"He has made a lot of sacrifices all year," Van Gundy commented. "I think his defense has progressively gotten better all year because he has worked very hard at it and taken it very seriously."

Lewis' game plan against Bosh was to front him in the post and then once Bosh received the ball, Lewis aimed at taking away the left-handed Bosh's strong hand, a tactic which Lewis expects Bosh to counter on Tuesday.

"He is a great player and I am sure he is going to come with a different mind-set in game two. He is going to make adjustments and come out strong."

Although Bosh made only four field-goals, he still ended up with 21 points, due in large part to his perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line.

"He knows how to use his body well in drawing fouls," Lewis added, "but I just have to be aware of that, force him to take tough shots, and not send him to the line."

The Magic expect the Raptors to get Bosh more involved in the offense on Tuesday.

"They (Toronto) will get right back to posting up Bosh, getting him on isolations and pick-and-rolls," said Van Gundy.

Orlando expects a better effort from Toronto as the Raptors look to even up the best of seven series at a game apiece Tuesday night at Amway Arena.

PREVIEW
After a stellar 114-100 victory in Game One, the Orlando Magic gets ready to host the Toronto Raptors for Game Two, Tuesday night at Amway Arena.

In Game One, the Magic scored a record 43 points, including nine three-pointers, to propel them to a 20-point advantage after the first period. The Magic never looked back sustaining their outstanding shooting throughout the entire game shooting 53 percent (41-77) from the floor while holding Toronto to just 38 percent (32-85).

Orlando's scoring attack consisted of six double figure scorers led by Dwight Howard who scored 25 points, grabbed 22 rebounds, and blocked five shots. Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu also added superb all-around performances as Nelson bucketed 24 points and dished out seven assists while Turkoglu added 21 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

Rashard Lewis led the Magic defense by blanketing Toronto's All-Star forward Chris Bosh, holding Bosh to just 4-of-11 shooting from the field. Anthony Parker led the Raptors with 24 points, Bosh added 21 points on a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line, and Jason Kapono poured in 18 points off the Toronto bench.

Expect Toronto to get Bosh more involved early on in Game Two by isolating him in the post and using him in pick-and-roll situations with the Raptors' point guards. The Raptors point guards, T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, had success during the Magic in the regular season but combined for just 14 points in Game One, so look for Toronto to get them more opportunities on Tuesday.

Orlando hopes to match their focus and intensity in Game One on Tuesday as they aim to take a 2-0 series lead before heading to Toronto for Game Three on Thursday.

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:
First Round - Game #1 - Apr. 20 vs. Toronto – Magic 114, Raptors 100: Dwight Howard tallied 25 points, 22 rebounds and five blocked shots, as Orlando defeated Toronto, 114-100, in Game #1 of the best-of-seven First Round NBA Playoff series at a sold-out Amway Arena. The 22 rebounds and five blocks tied franchise playoff records and it was just the fourth 20-point/20-rebound playoff game in Magic playoff history. Jameer Nelson tallied 24 points and seven assists for the Magic, while Hedo Turkoglu netted 21. Anthony Parker paced the Raptors with 24 points and Chris Bosh added 21. Orlando exploded out of the gates, scoring 43 first quarter points and connecting on an NBA Playoff record-tying nine three-pointers to lead 43-23. Toronto would claw their way back into the game, trimming the deficit to 88-83 during the fourth quarter. However, the Magic would answer with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.
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)