Magic Struggles Up North, Falls to Raptors Before All-Star Break

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is walking into the All-Star Break on the wrong foot after a 123-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night.

The Magic came out of the gates sluggish after playing last night against the Chicago Bulls, while the Raptors came into the game with fresh legs. It showed in the first quarter as Toronto scored 35 points and took early control of the game.

Orlando's best quarter came in the second, dropping 43 points and taking a five-point lead into the locker room.

However, the Magic returned to the court as cold as Canada in the winter, scoring just 19 points and allowing 29. It gave the Raptors control of the game and they cruised from there. The Magic's deficit grew to double digits in the fourth quarter and the team was unable to recover.

Orlando was led by Wendell Carter Jr.'s 26 points and Jalen Suggs' 24 off the bench. Meanwhile, Toronto got strong contributions from All-Star Pascal Siakam, who scored 26 points, and newly-acquired Jakob Poeltl, who scored a game-high 30.

The loss sinks the Magic further down in the standings, now four games behind the Raptors for the ninth spot in the East. As the season winds down, these games are only going to be more crucial. Hopefully the Magic can benefit from the rest during the All-Star Break and return for the second half locked in and ready to push towards the play-in.

The Magic returns to the court next Thursday, Feb. 23 at home against the Detroit Pistons. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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