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Short-handed Magic offense faces Raptors' league-best defense

Orlando visits Toronto without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, facing the NBA's lowest-rated defense for points allowed and its top turnover-forcing team.

Toronto allows 96.6 points per 100 possessions, the NBA's best
Orlando scores 103.6 per 100 possessions, 26th of 30 teams
Magic are without Banchero and Suggs

Published October 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM1 min read How this story was written

Wed, Oct 28, 7:30 PM

Orlando Magic

Toronto Raptors

Matchup and stats

The Orlando Magic (1-2), owners of the NBA's 26th-ranked offense, visit the Toronto Raptors (2-1), who have the league's best defense, on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 PM ET, without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs.

The Magic score 103.6 points per 100 possessions. Toronto allows 96.6, the league's lowest figure. The Raptors also force turnovers on 19.5% of opponent possessions, the NBA's top rate, while Orlando gives the ball away on 14.9% of its own, 25th.

Fouling is Toronto's soft spot. Opponents' free throw rate against the Raptors is 0.444, 30th in the league, and Orlando's own rate of 0.307 ranks 13th.

The Raptors' offense has its own problems. They shoot an effective field goal percentage of 47.2%, 29th, and their offensive rating of 105.9 is 23rd. RJ Barrett leads them at 21 points a game, and Scottie Barnes averages 7.7 rebounds.

Banchero, who averages 24.5 points and 7.5 assists, is out until November 22. Suggs, the team leader at two steals a game, is out until November 10. Wendell Carter Jr. leads the Magic with 8.7 rebounds.

Toronto is without Kawhi Leonard, who averages 3.5 steals in two games and is out until November 23. Malachi Smith, at 23.9 minutes a game, is also out.

Orlando lost its last two home games, 132-125 to Atlanta and 115-93 to Minnesota, before a 111-102 win at New York. Toronto lost 117-94 at Minnesota in its last game after beating Chicago 135-92.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Raptors a 63% chance to win, and Keel's projection has them at 62%.