TORONTO (AP) -- even though his team was ahead by seven points after the opening quarter, Orlando Magic car Steve Clifford didn't parallel what he'd seen above defense.
Turns out he was exact ought exist 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 section title Monday night, rallying from a double-digit deficit ought strike the Magic 121-109.
''We've got ought appreciate who we are,'' Clifford said. ''We ain't scoring 115 each night. We don't eat that friendly of roster. We eat ought defend, if we're scoring or not.''
The advantage too fashion Toronto can total no lower than second can the Eastern Conference. The Raptors began the engagement three games after Milwaukee because first.
Green piled up the points in spite of jamming his left thumb can the first quarter. X-rays were negative besides during Green was no available following the athletics because 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 persist quarter.
''He's an elite shooter,'' Orlando's Evan Fournier said. ''That's what he's known for.''
First-year car Nick nurse said he was haughty ought assist hang another flag can Toronto.
''There's a luck of satisfaction can it,'' he said. ''I appreciate it doesn't intend a luck can this engagement and era besides during it's no each engagement you advantage a division. That's a thumbs up, man.''
Marc Gasol scored 13 points and Kyle Lowry had 12 because 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 can the second ago turning the athletics nearly with a 31-10 meeting ago halftime. The Raptors pulled away after the break, leading by because many because 24.
''They picked up the intensity late can that second zone and we never indeed responded,'' Fournier said. ''It's that simple.''
Nikola Vucevic had 13 points and 13 rebounds, besides during the Magic lost because the second time can three games after winning their previous six. Fournier scored 21 points.
''We just didn't play good defense entire athletics long,'' Vucevic said.
Orlando remained a half-game after Miami because the eighth and persist playoff site can the East.
The three teams ahead of Orlando entire lost Monday. Miami lost can Boston, Brooklyn lost can family ought Milwaukee and Detroit lost can Indiana.
Asked if he paid attention ought the Magic's closest competitors, Fournier lifted his cellphone ought uncover an NBA scoreboard.
''It's impossible no ought look,'' he said. ''We're the ninth seed exact now, hence we eat ought appear can other teams.''
Toronto won its fourth straight and improved ought 31-9 can home. unique Milwaukee (32) has more family wins this season.
Up 36-29 after one, Orlando led 42-31 above Fournier's basket can 10:22 of the second ago Toronto responded. The Raptors took their first the perform above a four-point play by Gasol can 1:49 and were up 62-52 can halftime.
''Once our offense stopped clicking, they took a big lead,'' Vucevic said.
TIP-INS
Magic: Orlando shot 12 because 33 from 3-point range. ... Wes Iwundu shot 7 because 7 and scored 16 points. ... Canadian Khem Birch scored 11 points off the bench. Birch is from Montreal. ... previous Raptors safeguard Terrence Ross shot 2 because 10 and scored six points.
Raptors: Leonard paid tribute ought slain rapper Nipsey Hussle with a data above his shoes. Hussle was fatally shot Sunday outer the uniform conserve 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 can Orlando persist Dec. 28 is its most lopsided loss of the season.
DAN THE MAN
Green made his first five shots and scored 16 points can the first, going 4 of 5 from need range. Green's previous high this season was 24, site 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 mingle of G association awards Monday, winning MVP and Defensive player of the Year. He's the first player ought advantage both awards can the same season, and the first international player ought exist named MVP. Boucher, 26, is from Montreal. He averaged 27.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots can 28 games with Raptors 905.
WHEN T-MAC CAME BACK
Monday marked the 18th anniversary of Tracy McGrady's first athletics uphold can Toronto after leaving the Raptors ought moan with Orlando. Booed entire evening by a capacity crowd, McGrady scored 24 points because the Magic won 104-101.
UP NEXT
Magic: Host New York above Wednesday.
Raptors: can Brooklyn above Wednesday.
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