Raptors' magical back-to-back set capped off by win over visiting Orlando Magic

Back-to-backs are as part of the NBA as any back-door cut or high screen and roll.

Mentally tough teams make the quick turnaround, whether a game was lost or won the previous night.

The Raptors haven’t been good on the second game of a back-to-back, and they were arguably at their worst Monday night against the visiting Orlando Magic, which led by as many as 21 points, this after the Raptors were at their best Sunday against visiting Golden State in an OT thriller.

Fighting through fatigue, real or imagined, is critical for a team looking to make a breakthrough.

No travel, no excuse for how the Raptors began the night.

Once their defensive intensity and activity reached a level of competence, the Raptors began to compete much harder and would make a game of it when it seemed all but lost given how easily the Magic put up points, especially in the opening half.

It was a tie game with 4:42 left in the game.

Toronto’s first lead was 2-0. Its next didn’t arrive until a Brandon Ingram bucket made it 104-102 with 4:07 remaining.

It was game on as the evening’s best was saved for the very end.

In the end, the Magic had a possession trailing by one.

With six seconds left, Orlando called a timeout.

With Scottie Barnes defending Paolo Banchero, he forced a miss at the buzzer as the Raptors completed their largest comeback of the season in winning 107-106.

The following are three takeaways on a night Toronto’s bench stepped up as rookie Collin Murray-Boyles returned following a brief illness absence, a night when the likes of fellow reserves Jamal Shead, who had a career-high 19 points, Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick, especially in the opening half, each had their moments.

1. Barnes’ Back Burner

Only the most delusional fan thought Barnes would in any way replicate his scintillating Sunday performance when he willed the Raptors to their pulsating OT win.

The NBA is all about matchups.

When Barnes is matched up against smaller defenders, he normally abuses them.

Orlando, despite a depleted roster, features size.

On one of Barnes’ early touches, he threw up a brick when defended by Wendell Carter Jr.

Prior to tipoff, head coach Darko Rajakovic was asked about Barnes’ omission from the top-20 in the first phase of the Eastern Conference voting for the all-star game.

Remember, fan voting is a glorified popularity contest.

Barnes plays in a market that seldom receives any national exposure down south and his game is not played above the rim.

Still, the top-20 snub was quite egregious.

“I’m puzzled and I am very disappointed,’’ said Rajakovic, Barnes’ biggest booster. “We need to get this right. Canada needs to get this right.

Barnes didn’t record his first field goal against Orlando until the final minute of the opening quarter.

On Toronto’s opening possession to begin the second half, Barnes scored on a turn-around jumper.

His defence was off the charts, away from the basket and at the rim, capped off at the very end.

No Raptor reached the 20-point total, which speaks to how well they defended in the second half and how well the ball was shared.

2. Mo On Their Side?

Given the fragile nature of Jakob Poeltl’s wonky back and the clear need to add size to the roster, the Raptors took a flyer on draft lottery bust Mo Bamba, whom the Magic selected sixth overall in the 2018 draft.

Toronto’s interest first leaked Sunday with the Raptors making the signing official in the hours leading up to Monday’s tip.

The deal isn’t guaranteed, but it does become fully guaranteed on Jan. 10 when teams can begin to sign players to 10-day deals.

The move must be viewed as an act of sheer desperation and nothing more.

Maybe Bamba does prove he’s learned from his past under-performance.

Somehow we doubt it.

Bamba made his Raptors debut when he started the second quarter.

His foot speed is questionable, but there’s no question his size can be a factor.

A back tap kept alive a possession that led to a Raptors basket.

He picked up two fouls in three minutes, but Bamba also recorded three blocks.

After playing four minutes, he never saw the floor in the second half.

3. Magic Number

Compared to Orlando’s plight, the Raptors are in no position to complain about injuries.

Roster-wise, the Magic’s makeup, when healthy, is much better than the Raptors.

The one glaring disparity is overall team toughness.

Toronto entered the night with a 19-14 record, while Orlando stood at 18-14.

Suffice to say that of the two, the team you don’t want to play in the opening round of the playoffs is Orlando.

Barring a complete implosion or a rash of injuries, both the Raptors and Magic should be competing for a top-six slot.

Both teams were missing two starters Monday in the first of three meetings this season.

The Raptors and Magic have met once in the post-season at a time when Dwight Howard was the lead character in Orlando, while Chris Bosh served as Toronto’s face.

A second playoff meeting is very much a possibility.

Coughing up a 21-point proved tragic for the Magic.

Up Next

Toronto’s five-game home stand began with Steph Curry’s much-anticipated appearance Sunday when he was “held” to 39 points; another must-see viewing arrives Wednesday when the Denver Nuggets make their lone appearance; Nikola Jokic is poised to win his fourth league MVP, but limped off the court just before intermission Monday in Miami with a knee injury; Wednesday will feature Canadian Jamal Murray.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com