TORONTO (AP) -- flat though his team was ahead by seven points after the opening quarter, Orlando Magic bus Steve Clifford didn't comparable what he'd seen above defense.
Turns out he was precise ought be worried.
Danny Green scored a season-high 29 points, Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka each had 15 and the Toronto Raptors clinched their sixth Atlantic fraction title Monday night, rallying from a double-digit deficit ought thrash the Magic 121-109.
''We've got ought appreciate who we are,'' Clifford said. ''We ain't scoring 115 each night. We don't gorge that friendly of roster. We gorge ought defend, if we're scoring or not.''
The obtain also method Toronto can deduce no lower than second at the Eastern Conference. The Raptors began the appointment three games after Milwaukee though first.
Green piled up the points despite jamming his left thumb at the first quarter. X-rays were negative besides Green was no available following the sport though he had left ought undergo additional testing.
Green connected above 11 of 15 attempts, going 7 of 10 from 3-point range, ago sitting out the last quarter.
''He's an elite shooter,'' Orlando's Evan Fournier said. ''That's what he's known for.''
First-year bus Nick tend said he was haughty ought assist hang another flag at Toronto.
''There's a judge of satisfaction at it,'' he said. ''I appreciate it doesn't intend a judge at this appointment and era besides it's no each appointment you obtain a division. That's a thumbs up, man.''
Marc Gasol scored 13 points and Kyle Lowry had 12 though the Raptors snapped a two-game losing streak against the Magic.
''We had played them three other era where they didn't obtain ought 100,'' Clifford said. ''They had more readiness tonight than we did.''
Toronto trailed by 11 points early at the second ago turning the sport nearly with a 31-10 custom ago halftime. The Raptors pulled away after the break, chief by though many though 24.
''They picked up the intensity late at that second district and we never really responded,'' Fournier said. ''It's that simple.''
Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and 13 rebounds, besides the Magic lost though the second time at three games after winning their foregoing six. Fournier scored 21 points.
''We impartial didn't play good defense complete sport long,'' Vucevic said.
Orlando remained a half-game after Miami though the eighth and last playoff site at the East.
The three teams ahead of Orlando complete lost Monday. Miami lost at Boston, Brooklyn lost at habitation ought Milwaukee and Detroit lost at Indiana.
Asked if he paid attention ought the Magic's closest competitors, Fournier lifted his cellphone ought expose an NBA scoreboard.
''It's impossible no ought look,'' he said. ''We're the ninth seed precise now, consequently we gorge ought explanation at other teams.''
Toronto won its fourth straight and improved ought 31-9 at home. maiden Milwaukee (32) has more habitation wins this season.
Up 36-29 after one, Orlando led 42-31 above Fournier's basket at 10:22 of the second ago Toronto responded. The Raptors took their first the direct above a four-point play by Gasol at 1:49 and were up 62-52 at halftime.
''Once our offense stopped clicking, they took a big lead,'' Vucevic said.
TIP-INS
Magic: Orlando shot 12 though 33 from 3-point range. ... Wes Iwundu shot 7 though 7 and scored 16 points. ... Canadian Khem Birch scored 11 points off the bench. Birch is from Montreal. ... preceding Raptors protect Terrence Ross shot 2 though 10 and scored six points.
Raptors: Leonard paid tribute ought slain rapper Nipsey Hussle with a information above his shoes. Hussle was fatally shot Sunday outer the coat department he founded ought assist rebuild his troubled South Los Angeles neighborhood. ... F OG Anunoby (concussion) missed his third straight game. ... Toronto's 29-point overcome at Orlando last Dec. 28 is its most lopsided loss of the season.
DAN THE MAN
Green made his first five shots and scored 16 points at the first, going 4 of 5 from wish range. Green's foregoing high this season was 24, lay against Memphis above Jan. 19, while he made a career-high eight 3-pointers. He scored a career-high 33 against Phoenix above April 11, 2014.
HARDWARE HAUL
Toronto F Chris Boucher picked up a link of G club awards Monday, winning MVP and Defensive actor of the Year. He's the first actor ought obtain both awards at the identical season, and the first international actor ought be named MVP. Boucher, 26, is from Montreal. He averaged 27.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots at 28 games with Raptors 905.
WHEN T-MAC CAME BACK
Monday marked the 18th anniversary of Tracy McGrady's first sport back at Toronto after leaving the Raptors ought moan with Orlando. Booed complete evening by a genius crowd, McGrady scored 24 points though the Magic won 104-101.
UP NEXT
Magic: Host New York above Wednesday.
Raptors: at Brooklyn above Wednesday.
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