Raptors set historic 31-0 run over Magic

A scene never before seen in the American basketball league. It was the franchise from outside the country, Canada’s Toronto Raptors, that produced a run never before reached since records began. The Raptors did it, and they also handed the Magic – a team expected to be one of the favorites in the East – a comprehensive defeat.

Raptors’ Magic run for 31

Since play-by-play scoring tracking was established in the NBA in the 1997-98 season, there had never been a run like this: 31-0. Orlando went all that time without scoring. It was astonishing. The stretch even carried across quarters: it all began with a 20-14 lead during the opening period, but the visitors lost their way, stopped scoring, and by the second quarter found themselves trailing 45-20. Nothing improved. They lost the game with full justification.

The Magic were considered a threat in their conference, even candidates for the Finals according to some analysts at the start of the season, but so far they have not matched that feeling. They have returned to a losing run: aside from beating the Kings in their previous game, they had six consecutive defeats. They are moving further away from sixth place, which grants direct access to the playoffs.

Jamahl Mosley and his players were caught in the web woven by Toronto. The game ended 139-87 at Scotiabank Arena. That margin also came close to another record: 52 points separated the teams, while the Raptors’ best is 53 (against the Warriors). And they did it without Brandon Ingram, their All-Star-level player, as well as Immanuel Quickley, Murray-Boyles, Jamison Battle and others.

The Raptors are moving at a record pace toward fifth place in the conference. That appears to be their ceiling given the few games remaining and the gap to fourth place, held by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are four wins ahead in the race for a seeded position. Still, it has been excellent work by Darko Rajakovic’s team and a roster that has shown a solid level so far, with little to criticize.

R.J. Barrett, with 24 points, and Scottie Barnes, with a double-double (23 points and 15 rebounds), led the Canadians. Sandro Mamukelashvili finished with a +47 while on the court. It was a win without any hesitation.

Other NBA results from the day:

• Hornets 99 – Celtics 114
• Bucks 113 – Clippers 127
• Pacers 135 – Heat 118
• Nets 116 – Kings 99
• Blazers 123 – Wizards 88
• Pelicans 102 – Rockets 134
• Nuggets 116 – Warriors 93
• Thunder 111 – Knicks 100

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