Raptors coach Dwane Casey was about to use the word “atrocious” to describe something about his team. He stopped himself and pivoted into giving credit to the Orlando Magic. “They made some tough shots,” Casey said, “they made some good shots.” There were more words, but everything could be summed up in Casey’s exit: he scrunched the box score up in his hand and strode off. The Raptors lost to the Magic 114-113, in yet another close game that wasn’t all that close.
The game didn’t start this way. The Raptors looked sharp in the first quarter, with their fully functioning starting lineup and productive bench.