The Toronto Raptors went on a 31-0 run in Sunday’s 139-87 win over the Orlando Magic. The run was the largest unanswered run in the play-by-play era, which started in the 1997-98 season.
After trailing 20-14 in the first quarter, the Raptors scored 30 unanswered points in a stretch that lasted until early in the second quarter. Raptors point guard Jamal Shead got the scoring started at the free throw line, followed by a series of points from Sandro Mamukelashvili, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and A.J. Lawson.
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Most of the Raptors’ points came off fast breaks from steals, three-pointers off ball movement, and free throws. The Raptors lead the NBA in fast-break points, averaging 18.5 points per game. Raptors center Jakob Poeltl capped off the run with a fast break dunk off a Barnes steal. The Raptors led the Magic 45-20 after the run.
The 30-0 run was not the only milestone the Raptors achieved in the game. Barnes’ career-high 15 assists against the Magic reportedly make him the second Raptor in franchise history and the first in the NBA this year with 100+ blocks and 100+ assists. Barnes has had at least 10 assists and has averaged 12.25 assists over the last four games. This year, Barnes has averaged 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals while playing in 71 of 73 games. Barnes made his second All-Star appearance this season.
Barrett led the Raptors in scoring against the Magic with 24 points, while Barnes and Mamukelashvili were just behind with 23 and 18 points, respectively. Desmond Bane led the Magic with 17 points, while Paolo Banchero had nine points in 30 minutes.
The Raptors are 42-32 and currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference. Their next game will be against the Detroit Pistons, the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic continue to struggle, as this marks their seventh loss in 10 games. They will play the 41-33 Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.