Barnes scores career-high 41 but Raptors fall to Magic in NBA Cup

TORONTO · Scottie Barnes scored a career-high 41 points, but it was not enough as the Toronto Raptors lost 121-114 to the Orlando Magic in NBA Cup group play on Friday. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 28 points, including six three-pointers, as Orlando bounced back from a 30-point loss in Toronto two nights earlier. Franz Wagner added 26 points and 11 assists for the Magic, while Anthony Black contributed 17 points and 10 assists. Barnes added five rebounds and five assists for the Raptors, who fell to 3-2, while Orlando improved to 2-3.

The Magic seized control with superior three-point shooting, hitting 18 of 34 attempts from beyond the arc for a 53 per cent success rate. Bane set the tone by making his first four attempts from deep and finished six for 12. "Bane was dialed in from three-point range," the team's notes said, crediting his performance for anchoring the sharpshooting night. Orlando also made 25 of 29 free throws, while Toronto was 11 for 15 from the line.

Toronto mounted a late rally, taking a 102-100 lead on a three-pointer by Immanuel Quickley with 8:38 remaining. A layup from Raptors reserve Jamison Battle with 6:07 left brought Toronto within two points again. Orlando responded with a decisive 13-4 run, starting with a three-pointer from Black with 6:56 to play, to reclaim control. Quickley finished with 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Raptors.

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Barnes was efficient in his record-setting night, shooting 19 for 34 from the field. His 16th career game with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists tied DeMar DeRozan for fourth most in Raptors franchise history. He fouled out after his 41-point effort. Jakob Poeltl had his best game of the season for Toronto, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds after entering the night averaging 2.8 points and 4.5 rebounds.

The Raptors played without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who remained out with left knee swelling. Ja'Kobe Walter started in his place and scored nine points. Garbutt Disposal reported in October that the Raptors would be without Leonard as they hosted an Orlando team also missing key players. The Magic were without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs for the second straight game in Toronto.

A brief scuffle occurred in the first quarter after an Orlando basket, resulting in technical fouls for Bane and Raptors forward RJ Barrett. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 20 points for the Magic, who led 95-88 after three quarters. Collin Murray-Boyles added 15 points for Toronto in the loss. Up next: The Raptors open a four-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday before facing the Clippers on Monday. The Magic host the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

With files from The Canadian Press, Sportsnet and Toronto Star