At least the Raptors are assured of a winning season, regardless of what awaits the team as it closes out the regular season with eight games remaining.
With a handful of winnable games yet to be played, additional wins are almost guaranteed.
Sunday was by no means guaranteed win night, but it swung in that direction relatively early into the evening when the visiting Orlando Magic began to concede the white flag.
The Magic had the look the Raptors showed when Toronto visited Phoenix during a recent five-game road trip and was immediately dismantled by the Suns.
The way Orlando played was inexcusable and embarrassing, similar to how the Raptors played in Phoenix and later in L.A. against the Clippers.
By the break Sunday, the Raptors were leading 70-43.
Not unexpectedly, the Raptors would easily prevail 139-87.
And to think both Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley were unavailable, two players whose presence looms large as the playoffs await.
Prior to tip, Ingram was engaged in some basketball-related activities in front of some team officials.
He was initially ruled as questionable because of right heel inflammation.
A healthy Ingram is a must for the Raptors to make some kind of noise in the post-season.
Another key piece is Quickley, the team’s starting point guard who missed his fourth game in a row because right foot plantar fasciitis.
The team insists it is not concerned, but the more games Quickley misses the more red flags appear.
Jamal Shead is a decent point guard who leaves everything out on the floor, but he can’t shots on a consistent basis and there’s no way a playoff series will be won with Shead as a starter, with all due respects to the kid.
Many viewed Friday night’s win against New Orleans as meaningful given Toronto’s 2-3 road trip and knowing the first home tip following a Western swing is fraught.
A stronger case can be made about Sunday’s visit by Orlando until the Magic turned tragic.
Raptors have no reason to complain when any win this late in the season means they are one step closer to avoiding the play-in.
The following are three takeaways on a night the Raptors took complete control by going on a 31-0 run during a near eight-minute stretch, a night when the visitors went up by seven points early until the proverbial roof caved in.
1. Scottie B and the Big O
Oliver Miller, who passed away last year at age 54, was one of those vexing players when he suited up for the Raptors in their inaugural season.
For a big man, he had soft hands.
People may not recall but it was the Big O who got ejected from the Raptors’ very first game, a pre-season tip in Halifax against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Miller was ineligible for the actual season opener against visiting New Jersey at SkyDome.
He did end the season by recording at least 100 steals and 100 blocks.
No other Raptor has reached the statistical milestone.
Until Scottie Barnes that is.
He attained those numbers during Sunday’s game.
Numbers aside, there isn’t much to compare Barnes to Miller, who had volleyball-like hands.
He was a presence in the paint and had an under-rated offensive game.
Barnes, meanwhile, recorded 15 assists, a career high, in 28 minutes through three quarters as Toronto took a 113-68 lead into the final period.
There was no absolutely no reason to play Barnes in the final period with the outcome assured.
And he didn’t.
2. Mamu Knows Best
Sandro Mamukelashvili is a liability on defence, can be tempted to take bad shots, but the guy can sure light it up when he’s in rhythm.
Mamukelashvili poured in 19 points in just 21 minutes.
Credit Mamukelashvili, but Orlando’s disregard for playing defence can’t be overlooked, either.
Mamukelashvili and Ja’Kobe Walter remain Toronto’s two legitimate scorers coming off the bench.
Too bad neither can create their own shot, Mamukelashvili is a good passer who will get to the rim in transition.
Another key piece among the second unit is rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who was ruled unavailable prior to Sunday’s tip.
He’s been dealing with a thumb issue for quite some time and more recently with a back issue.
3. Where’s the Magic?
Anyone with a clue should contact Jeff Weltman, Orlando’s president of basketball operations.
He’s done a nice job in assembling some quality pieces and thought the club would take a much-needed step when the move was made to acquire Desmond Bane from Memphis.
At least on paper, Orlando’s roster seemed to be better than the Raptors.
Games aren’t played on paper and Orlando has become one of the more disappointing teams in the NBA.
In theory, things can turn for the better, but the Magic looked dreadful Sunday as it dropped to 39-35 on the season.
Orlando has a back-to-back home stretch beginning Tuesday when the Suns come to town followed by a visit by Atlanta.
The play-in is a certainty, but much more was expected by Orlando, a team many felt would be contending for a top-four seed in the East.
Up Next
A date in Motown is up next when the Raptors play the host Pistons Tuesday night; one of Toronto’s signature wins came against Detroit at Scotiabank Arena two weeks ago.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com