 Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon (C) lays the ball up as teammate forward Ed Davis (L) looks on and Orlando Magic forward Andrew Nicholson (R) defends goal during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Orlando, Florida December 29, 2012. (REUTERS/Kevin Kolczynski) |
Games like these have been few and far between for the Raptors.
But on the end of a three games in four nights swing that began with a practice Christmas Day in San Antonio, the Raptors had every right to be fatigued.
The thing is they weren’t.
This one was a blowout from the beginning to the end. Part way through the third quarter the Magic got the lead down to a mangeable 11 only to see the Raptors run away and hide.
If anything, in this game that came on the heels of an overtime win in New Orleans and a wee hours of he morning arrival in Orlando, the Raptors played as hard as they have since the little break just before Christmas.
Now clearly a depleted Magic roster had something to do with the 123-88 final. In addition to playing their fifth consecutive game without Glen (Big Baby) Davis, the Magic were also without the services of point guard Jameer Nelson who sat out with a sore hip.
|
