When it comes to the in-season tournament, Tuesday’s game is a must-win for the Toronto Raptors who take on the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET.
Sportsnet and the FAN 590 will air the game for Toronto. Bally Sports Florida and 96.9 FM will broadcast for Orlando.
It’s the in-season tournament! What more could you ask for? OK, maybe it’s not quite that exciting but the Raptors do need to win if they’re going to have any hope of coming out of their group and advancing to Las Vegas where there’s $500,000 on the line for the players.
In terms of the actual playoff picture, this is an important early-season game against another similarly young and developing team. If the Raptors do fashion themselves as a playoff or play-in team, beating teams like Orlando is going to be important this year.
OG Anunoby is still working his way back from a finger laceration on his high right hand. While his defense remained elite in his first game back, he shot just 2-for-11 from the field and 1-for-6 from three-point range. He said the finger didn’t bother him too much but Toronto can’t afford to have Anunoby shooting at anything less than his career averages.
Thad Young is doubtful with an illness. Christian Koloko remains out. The Magic will be without Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr. Rookie first-round pick Jett Howard has been assigned to the G League.
The Raptors are +1.5 point underdogs with an implied win probability of 49.5%. The total for the game is 216.