Toronto Raptors Team Report - December 2

(Basketball News) - The Toronto Raptors early-season struggles continued. as they dropped a 129-108 decision to the Orlando Magic at the TD Waterhouse Centre.

Vince Carter led Toronto with 21 points. Rafer Alston had 16 points and Jalen Rose chipped in 15 for the Raptors, who have dropped nine of their last 12 contests.

The Magic put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring Toronto 34-15 to grab a commanding 102-75 lead. Steve Francis scored five points during a 14-2 burst to begin the period, giving Orlando an 82-62 advantage.

Cuttino Mobley later drained back-to-back three-pointers to extend the margin to 27 at 94-67 with 4:39 left in the stanza.

The Magic would lead by as many as 38 points in the fourth quarter, as DeShawn Stevenson’s jumper with 5:34 remaining made it 123-85.

Toronto, which is in the midst of a six-game road trip, is just 2-8 away from home this season.

Last year Toronto took two of its three meetings with the Magic, but has split the last six matchups in the series. The Raptors have also split their last four in Orlando.

Toronto will return to the court on Friday versus the Boston Celtics.