When you are feeling it, you are feeling it.
Against the Orlando Magic, Fred VanVleet had the game of his life, setting a new Raptors single-game scoring record with 54 points (17-of-23 from the floor). The guard was also a whopping 11-of-14 from the three-point line.
VanVleet’s 54 points in a game are also the most in a single-game by an Undrafted Free Agent. VanVleet was cooking hitting his first 11 out of 12 three-point attempts. With each makes the Magic became even more demoralized—one can argue that the three-pointer has become even more demoralizing to an opponent than the dunk is (so much so that as the game started going on the Magic relaxed on defense and allowed VanVleet to score on multiple wide-open layups).
The stars aligned and it was Fred’s night; VanVleet was humbled by it all.
“Unbelievable and I’m very humbled and honored to be in the same sentence with both of those guys,” said VanVleet, who took a video call from DeRozan in the Toronto locker room after the game. “It’s just a special night on a lot of different levels. I’m trying to enjoy it for now, but it’s not a championship or anything like that. It was a good game for me. I’ll enjoy the love for a couple of hours and get ready for the next one.”
https://twitter.com/Raptors/status/1356814430202458115
As for the Orlando Magic, they have lost 12 out of 14 games, falling to 8-14 on the season. The Magic are searching for an identity, especially since losing one of their top players, Aaron Gordon, to injury.
The Raptors improved to 9-12 on the season. They are looking to write their ship as well after a slow start to the season. Both teams are looking to get back into the swing of things. However, one team in the Raptors now has some positive momentum behind VanVleet’s 54. While the Magic seem to be reeling and just searching for a way to win.
Next games:
- For the Raptors is Friday at Brooklyn. 7:30 pm on ESPN.
- For the Magic is Friday against the Chicago Bulls at Amway. The Magic have a home and home back to back against Chicago Friday and Saturday night. They look to get back in the win column after this slide.
