During the Tuesday night NBA slate, the Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic 123-113 for their fifth win in six games, with Jakob Poeltl scoring 30 points and Pascal Siakam scoring 26.
After leading 70-65 at halftime, Toronto led 94-89 at the end of the third quarter thanks to 8 points by Poeltl. The Raptors shot a season-best 60.2 percent from the field because of 17 points from Scottie Barnes, 10 points and 11 assists from Fred VanVleet, and 11 points from Precious Achiuwa.
Wendell Carter Jr. led the Magic with 26 points, Jalen Suggs with 24 off the bench, and Markelle Fultz with 19 points. After winning three straight road games, Orlando was unable to follow up Monday’s victory at Chicago with another win. On the back end of a back-to-back, the Magic are 1-10.
Last week, Raptors acquired Poeltl, who began his career with Toronto, from San Antonio. He shot 15 for 17 and added nine rebounds and six blocks.
“You see what he did tonight,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosely said. “He was a game changer.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors & Orlando Magic Updates
This was Poeltl’s highest point total as a Raptor. Last November, he set a career-high of 31 points as a member of the Spurs in a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“It’s just about reacting to the defense,” Poeltl said. “They decided to trap Freddie a bunch of times. I’m comfortable catching the ball there at the top of the key and trying to make plays.”
According to Suggs, Poeltl’s bruising and physical style caused Orlando harm.
“He’s a force in the paint,” Suggs said. “Trying to box him out, you can’t out-jump him. He’s really strong and physical in there. He fits what they want to do. He’s a physical big who’s going to hit you in your mouth and have no remorse about it.”
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors & Orlando Magic Updates
The Raptors made a season-high 20 turnovers against the Magic, resulting in 26 points, one game after they allowed just five points off turnovers. Toronto scored 29 points off 19 Magic turnovers.
“You can’t turn the basketball over and give up offensive rebounds and give yourself a chance,” Mosley said.
In terms of offensive rebounding, the Raptors owned a 13-9 advantage over the Magic, outrebounding them 40-29. Having started the season 5-20, Orlando is 19-15 since that period as the All-Star break approaches.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jakob Poeltl, Toronto Raptors & Orlando Magic Updates
“I feel like we did a solid job from the beginning of the year to now of kind of changing the script of who the Orlando Magic are,” Carter said.
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