Raptors 99, Magic 95

...the streak isn't a fluke, they're actually playing well.

Welcome to the NBA season, Toronto!  Unfortunately, you've only have eight games left to play.

I hate to toot my own horn but the crew at The Puns asked me what my prediction would be for the game:

"Something's just clicked for the Raptors lately. They're too far from the playoffs and they're too far from that top lottery pick, I say they screw their season even more and beat the Magic. It'll be close, I say like a five point game but they'll win."

Anyhow, enough bragging.

I had a feeling that the Raptors' streak might have been somewhat of a fluke, but the win over the Magic proved that the Raps crew have got it together.  I cringed a little when that Bosh jumper went up with 23 seconds to go, with only a one point lead, but Bosh was clutch, he nailed that jumper.  As that shot was in the air, I had already accepted the fact that even if the Raptors didn't pull out the win, they had already played a good game against  the Magic.  Sure they blew their lead like many games this year but this time around, this Raps crew seem to have that swagger, that confidence and are competing for 48 minutes, not 24-36 minutes.  

All five of the Raptors starters had good games, Jose had 21 pts, Shawn Marion put together a nice double double (17 pts, 15 rebounds and 6 assists) and Andrea Bargnani had 16 points in 25 minutes of play before fouling out.  Chris Bosh has been on fire lately and we haven't seen this Chris Bosh in a while.  The Chris Bosh who will lead his team, take the ball during crunch time and nail that winning shot.

As far as the Magic were concerned, Dwight Howard got his, scoring 30 pts and grabbing 9 boards but on the other hand, Rashard Lewis was only 7-19 and Hedo Turkoglu was 4-12.  The Polish Hammer?  2 pts, 3 rebounds and 1 block.  Man, I love that nickname.  The Magic moved back down to the #3 spot with this loss, as the Celtics move back to #2 after their win over the Bobcats last night.

Key notes:

• The Raptors outrebounded the Magic.  April Fool's!  Actually they did, 45-39.  Wow.
• Raps shot 49% to the Magic's 40%
• Chris Bosh had 24 pts, 12 boards and 3 blocks
• The Raps look to extend their streak as they face the Knicks in a two-game series on Saturday and Sunday

Photo credit: (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

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