GAME 1, 2019 Playoffs, Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors, 5pm EST, Sportsnet One

[planetmars]

I've got Fred as the x-factor. Didn't get to really see him much last year because of Bam's illegal screen. Orlando is using MCW off the bench lol. Fred should feast.

[slaw]

I won't be able to watch this game but I will be there in spirit. Seems to me as long as the Raps are solid fundamentally (i.e. control the glass, value possessions) they should be fine. Probably won't need it too much this series but I'm very curious to see if this team has some extra gears it's been hiding for most of the year....

[KeonClark]

Let's do this.

Inthepaint epic thread is causing pandemonium. This as excitable as I've ever seen DanH get

[bertarapsfan]

Who do you guys think is going to stand out this series? They have guys who are big and athletic enough to give Kawhi and Siakam a hard time, so I'm ruling them out. I think Lowry will have a great opportunity to shine, but playoffs do funny things to him so I'm gonna say Danny will be that x-factor for us.

Big Spain. he is going to help swing the ball and set up our offense if kawhi and pascal get blitzed. will be a safety valve for our offense if the main guy have trouble finding shots. but most importantly he will be big defensively on the magics best player vucevic

[Jclaw]

Our entire season to this point
(summed up in a gif)

[Maury]

I'm only gonna be able to watch the first half of this game. Can't wait though. Reading the starting lineup is actually incredible, this is one of the most well rounded and accomplished lineups we've seen in the league in a while and would be a surefire title favourite if not for Golden State.

[LJ2]

Big Spain. he is going to help swing the ball and set up our offense if kawhi and pascal get blitzed. will be a safety valve for our offense if the main guy have trouble finding shots. but most importantly he will be big defensively on the magics best player vucevic

Safety valve is maybe the best way to describe Gasol's impact. His stats aren't going to jump out at you, but does so many things that contribute to winning. The Demar/Lowry lead playoff drives could have really, really used Gasol.

[Scraptor]

Who do you guys think is going to stand out this series? They have guys who are big and athletic enough to give Kawhi and Siakam a hard time, so I'm ruling them out. I think Lowry will have a great opportunity to shine, but playoffs do funny things to him so I'm gonna say Danny will be that x-factor for us.

Neither Augustin nor Fournier are good defenders, so I think Lowry and Danny will both fare well.

Gordon and Isaac are both tough defenders, not sure how Clifford will scheme them against Kawhi/Pascal, Kawhi should be fine though.

Marc Gasol is simply too savvy for Vucevic and I think he'll pick Vuc apart.

[KeonClark]

I'm only gonna be able to watch the first half of this game. Can't wait though. Reading the starting lineup is actually incredible, this is one of the most well rounded and accomplished lineups we've seen in the league in a while and would be a surefire title favourite if not for Golden State.

We always wanted to build like the 04 Pistons. 1 defensive MVP, 3 borderline all stars and an awesome glue guy. Oh hello.

[rocwell]

damn

[MixxAOR]

wow cursed season

[LJ2]

Get well soon OG. This season has been a disaster for him....just write it off completely.

And playoff Norm is given life once again.

[octothorp]

Sucks, especially on top of McCaw, but we can manage it. A bit more Powell at SF, maybe even a bit of Boucher at PF?

[bertarapsfan]

wtf this has been an absolute worst luck season for OG after a great rookie year. most of it has been random shit to that's out of his hands

[TrueTorontoFan]

og injured