Leonard leads Raptors in ousting Magic

LOS ANGELES – Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points as the Toronto Raptors powered into the NBA Eastern Conference playoff semifinals with a 115-96 demolition of the Orlando Magic on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time).

The Raptors sealed a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven series to set up a meeting with either the Philadelphia 76ers or Brooklyn Nets in the next round, with the Sixers leading their series 3-1.

Leonard once again proved to be the talisman for Toronto, making eight of 11 field goal attempts to lead the scoring for the second seeds, who exploded for 35 points in the first quarter and never looked back.

Leonard also added seven rebounds and two assists while Pascal Siakam had a big game with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Three other Toronto players made double figures with Kyle Lowry finishing on 14 points, Serge Ibaka 10 and Norman Powell adding 11 off the bench.

Orlando meanwhile were unable to break free of a suffocating Toronto defensive effort, with star center Nikola Vucevic restricted to six points and Evan Fournier held to 10 points. 

D.J. Augustin led the scoring for Orlando with 15 points.