Raptors 905 vs. Osceola

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Alex Morales scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Osceola Magic to a 118-109 victory over Raptors 905 in the NBA G League on Wednesday night at Silver Spurs Arena.

The win gave Osceola a two-game regular-season sweep of the series after a 112-109 victory just two days earlier. It improved the Magic’s record to 19-9, while the Raptors, who entered with the league’s best record, fell to 24-6.

Osceola seized control with a dominant first quarter, outscoring Raptors 905 37-28. The Magic shot 15 of 22 from the field in the opening period and never trailed after the 9:41 mark. The lead grew to as many as 16 points in the second quarter before Raptors 905 mounted several challenges.

The visitors cut the deficit to four points late in the third quarter, but Osceola responded with a 9-2 run to close the period, taking an 87-71 lead into the final frame. Raptors 905 made a final push in the fourth, using a 21-9 surge to close to within 100-98 with 5:58 remaining. A driving layup by Phillip Wheeler and a subsequent free throw after a foul pushed the Magic lead back to five points, and Raptors 905 could not get closer than three points the rest of the way.

Morales was efficient, making 13 of his 22 field goal attempts. He added three assists and was a key part of an Osceola defense that forced 18 turnovers. Phillip Wheeler added 23 points, and Lester Quinones scored 22 for the Magic. Reece Beekman orchestrated the offense with 13 points and 10 assists.

For Raptors 905, Alijah Martin led the way with 21 points. Julian Reese of Baltimore posted a double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four blocks. David Roddy also had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Tyreke Key scored 19 points, and A.J. Hoggard of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, had 12 points and seven assists.

Osceola’s offensive efficiency proved decisive. The Magic scored 118 points on just 98 possessions for an offensive rating of 121.0, while Raptors 905 managed 109 points on 105 possessions for a rating of 103.7. Osceola also shot 49.4% from the field compared to 42.4% for the Raptors and won the assist battle 12-8.

The most important sequence of the game came with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After Raptors 905 had clawed back to within two points, Osceola’s defense forced a missed three-pointer. On the ensuing possession, Reece Beekman found Phillip Wheeler for a layup while drawing a foul. Wheeler completed the three-point play, stretching the lead back to five points and halting the Raptors’ momentum. Raptors 905 would not get another stop on consecutive possessions for the remainder of the game as Osceola closed it out at the free-throw line.

Osceola hosts Westchester on Thursday. Raptors 905’s next game is at home against Grand Rapids on Feb. 5.