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Poeltl shines as Raptors down Magic 123-113
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He was traded to Toronto from San Antonio last Thursday

Jacob Poeltl scored 30 points – one shy of his career high, as he led the Toronto Raptors past the Orlando Magic 123-113 on Tuesday night.

He also had nine rebounds and six blocked shots in his best performance since being traded to Toronto from San Antonio last Thursday.

“We’ve just got so many guys out there that have great length, that have great athleticism, so we can really make it tough on teams to get into the paint,” Poeltl, who went 15 of 17 on field-goal attempts, said

“I’m just trying to play my role in that whole system and I feel like I’m figuring out more and more.

“I think we’ve got great guys in the locker room. Obviously, some of them I know a little bit better from back in the day and there are some I just know from playing against them.”

Pascal Siakam added 26 points with four rebounds and six assists for the Raptors (28-31) and Fred VanVleet scored 10 and had a season-high 15 assists in Raptors victory.

Scott Barnes scored 17 points and added six assists to become the youngest Raptor to record 2000 points and 500 assists.

The Raptors were missing injured forward O.G. Anunoby (left wrist sprain), guard Gary Trent Jr (left calf strain) and Otto Porter Jr (left foot, toe dislocation surgery).

Tuesday night’s result means that Toronto and Orlando, who are jockeying for the final play-in berth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, will finish their season series 2-2.

“Forty-three points we gave up in the second and I think that’s 43 in the second half,” Toronto head coach Nick Nurse said. “So really good, really good defensive effort.”

Wendell Carter Jr tallied 26 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Magic, who fall to 24-35 on the season.

Toronto hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 23, a lengthy break thanks to the NBA all-star game.

This was also the last game before the break for the Magic, who will welcome Detroit on Feb. 23.

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