NBA: Jakob Poeltl’s 30 points help Toronto Raptors beat Orlando Magic

NBA: Pascal Siakam added 26 points for the Toronto Raptors, who has won two straight and five of six.

Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 14, 2023, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. | Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

Jakob Poeltl had 30 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Orlando Magic 123-113 on Tuesday night.

Pascal Siakam added 26 points for the Raptors, who has won two straight and five of six.

Fred VanVleet had 10 points and a season-best 15 assists for Toronto. Scottie Barnes added 17 points, Chris Boucher scored 13 points, Precious Achiuwa had 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Malachi Flynn scored 10 points.

Wendell Carter Jr. scored 26 points for the Magic. Jalen Suggs added 24 points off the bench, while Markelle Fultz had 19 points and Paolo Banchero scored 13 points.

Toronto took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter. The lead reached nine on Flynn’s two free throws with 7:50 to play in the game.

Siakam’s jumper gave Toronto a 107-96 lead with 7:07 to go. Suggs made 1 of 2 free throws to cut the lead to eight with 6:12 to play. After the Raptors scored three straight points, Banchero’s layup cut the lead to nine with 4:17 remaining. Siakam came back with two free throws but Banchero’s shot again reduced the margin to nine with 1:21 to play.

But by then the Magic were out of time to mount any real comeback.

Toronto led 35-27 after one quarter.

Suggs capped a 7-0 spurt with a steal and a dunk to cut the lead to two with 9:29 left in the second quarter. Later, Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer gave Orlando a 47-46 lead with 6:55 remaining. Suggs completed the first-half scoring with a layup and Orlando led 70-65 into the intermission. There were 11 lead changes in the second quarter.

Suggs had 19 first-half points --14 in the second quarter-- as Orlando shot 60.5 percent (26-for-43) from the field.

Toronto shot 70.7 percent (29-for-41) from the field in the first half, led by Poeltl’s 14 points.

Toronto used a 15-2 run to take an eight-point lead with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter. Fultz’ dunk trimmed the lead to five with 4:32 left in the third, the margin at which the third quarter ended.

Toronto’s Thaddeus Young (knee) left the game in the second quarter and did not return. He had four points. Gary Trent Jr. (calf) and O.G. Anunoby (wrist) missed the game altogether for Toronto.

Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury management) was among those out for Orlando.