Lakeland Magic 111, Raptors 905 122 | Box Score
Two-ways: Troy Caupain, Amile Jefferson (Magic), Jordan Loyd (905)
A masterful effort from Jordan Loyd was overshadowed by a late injury that forced him from the game. With under two minutes left, Loyd hit an acrobatic and-1, but lay writhing in pain, clutching his left leg, having sustained a sprained ankle. He didn’t take his free throw, leaving his line at 23 points on 10-for-18 from the field, with 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Loyd will be reevaluated over the next few days. After Loyd exited, the 905 hung on for a 122-111 win.
All the momentum was with the Magic early in the fourth quarter. They had erased a 16 point half time deficit, with Lakeland forward Antonio Campbell about to throw down a wide open dunk. But before he could fully elevate, Campbell appeared to pull his hamstring, sending the ball flying over the rim. Seconds later Rodney Pryor converted that turnover into a three. The 905 went on to make it a 10-0 run, and the lead was safe from there. The 905 sit atop the Eastern Conference at 14-and-6, winners of two straight without their MVP candidate Chris Boucher, who’s with the parent club.
Notes
- Two-Way 905 Player Notes
- Loyd – Early in the season, Coach Mahlalela seemed reticent about making Loyd his full time point guard. But maybe it’s time to take the word “combo” out of the guard’s description. “I think he’s still a combo guard by skill,” Mahlalela apparently disagrees. “That’s what he’s best at – that ability to score off the ball or if he has it, to play in pick and roll. But when someone gets hurt he can play point guard.” Mahlalela did add that his growing ability to find his teammates combined with those combo guard skills has started to become something “special.” Loyd was coming off a massively successful G League showcase, where he averaged over 30 points, earning Player of the Week honours. His first half consisted of great signs of maturity. In the first quarter, Loyd only hoisted one shot, while putting up 5 assists and 3 rebounds. In the second, Loyd showed off the scoring repertoire with a smooth pull-up, a tough layup through contact, and a difficult elbow three. After the 905 blew their big lead in the third, Loyd steadied his team, getting into the paint at will, and finishing through contact. Unfortunate his late exclamation mark and-1 had to end with him being helped off the floor.
- Other 905 Player Notes
- Deng Adel – According to some guy named Blake Murphy, Adel garnered some buzz at the G League showcase, where he scored a combined 45 points over two games. His game continued to impress on Thursday. He made almost every shot he took at the rim, and went 1-for-2 from deep. Overall he shot 7-for-14 from the field and 4-for-5 from the line, leading to 19 big points, plus his on-ball defence was suffocating. Again, per Blake – if he can get that three point percentage up (currently hovering around 30%), he may be an enticing two-way candidate elsewhere for the rest of the season.
- Kyle Collinsworth – the spin moves and herky jerky postups complimented Deng’s monster first quarter nicely. In 30 minutes Collinsworth put up 24 points (he averages 10.4 PPG) on 10-for-12 shooting, to go with 10 boards and 4 assists. Collinsworth also sprinkled in a dunk off an errant Magic save under their basket. Whenever the 6’5 guard dunks, his teammates seem to find it hilarious. “I hadn’t noticed that,” Mahlalela said with a laugh. “He’s a very strong player, he’s maybe not the most athletic player, a little slower-a-foot, but really smart. So when he does do a dunk it’s maybe not the norm, but (the team) enjoys it.”
- Rodney Pryor – Coach Mahlalela is quick to credit his staff for spotting the sharp-shooter on the open market. Pryor went 5-for-9 from distance, every three seeming to come at the perfect time. In 10 games with the 905 Pryor is shooting nearly 39% from deep, providing the floor spacing Loyd and Chris Boucher surely appreciate.
- Two-Way Magic Player Notes
- Troy Caupain started slowly but his shooting touch was on full display in the third. His five threes were instrumental in giving the Magic a brief lead in the fourth.
- Amile Jefferson looked dominant inside for much of the game, but he missed a number of early bunnies at the rim. With Boucher out of the lineup, Jefferson failed to take advantage of the less intimidating lane, going 5-for-12 from the field, but sporting a minus-20 rating.
- IMPORTANT ADMIN NOTE
- Once again this year, the code REPUBLIC905 will get you a discount on Raptors 905 tickets. Do it! The team is fun.
