THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — The speedy Texan who can blow by defenders like they’re standing still, or the affable Spaniard that can calmly knock down long-range shots with the game on the line — for the Orlando Magic, it’s a case of pick your poison.
Toronto’s T.J. Ford and Jose Calderon, touted as one of the most potent point guard tandems in the NBA, finally lived up to their billing Thursday night, lifting the Raptors to a 108-94 win over the Orlando Magic.
The Raptors now trail the Magic by a game in their best-of-seven playoff series, with Game 4 scheduled for Saturday at the Air Canada Centre (TSN, 3 p.m. ET).
Another big game from the two guards would go a long way in sending the series back to Orlando tied 2-2.
"It’s tough to beat us, when our two point guards play like that," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said after Friday’s practice.
Ford and Calderon combined for 39 points and 16 assists in Game 3, after a pair of shaky performances — by Ford especially — in Games 1 and 2.
Ford led the way as the Raptors charged out of the gate to take control in the opening quarter, and Calderon slipped in seamlessly off the bench, knocking down shots when Orlando was threatening.
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy had high praise for Toronto’s guards afterward, and said the Raptors’ pick-and-roll game "chewed us up."
"That’s as good as a pick-and-roll game game as there is in this league, this side of Steve Nash," Van Gundy said Friday. "When you put shooters around them, that’s going to cause difficulties.
"The thing with Calderon that’s so impressive, he and Nash are the best at delivering the ball on target so that guys never have to reach. His delivery is incredible."
Mitchell was most impressed by the defensive performance of his guards — the two held Jameer Nelson to just six points after the Magic’s starting point guard had two big games in Orlando.
"We did a good job of keeping their guards out of the lane," Mitchell said. "We did a much better job of keeping them out of the paint."
There was question about Nelson’s status for Game 4 after the guard suffered back spasms in the hallway after the game.
"I got a lot of fluids in me last night, and a few medicines," Nelson said. "Everything is fine now. I don’t think it will be a problem."
While the Raptors held a full practice Friday at the Air Canada Centre, the Magic cancelled theirs. Instead, the Magic players watched film and then did a walkthrough on a makeshift key on the floor of the hotel ballroom.
Stopping Toronto’s pick-and-roll game most certainly was on the agenda.
"It’s a problem for everybody who has played them," Van Gundy said. "When they go small and run that pick-and-roll game with (Chris) Bosh and Calderon or Ford, and spread them out with (Andrea) Bargnani and all the perimeter guys, it’s very difficult.
"Those point guards are both quick, they both make good plays. Calderon makes a great decision every time."
After a few roller-coaster months at the point guard position — Ford missed a good chunk of the season with a neck injury, then wasn’t happy coming off the bench upon his return — the two Raptors are coming together at the right time.
."They’re by far the best in the league as a tandem guard combination, there’s no other team that has that," said Raptors forward Jason Kapono. "It’s very hard to get two point guards playing well, splitting time. You catch a rhythm and all of a sudden sit for the rest of the game. … It’s challenging for them to keep that frame of mind knowing you’re going to go in the first and the third, or second and fourth."
Kapono is also finally rounding into form — he’s averaging 17.7 points on 65 per cent shooting from the field, 61 per cent from three-point range, in this series.
"I told him, `Whatever you’re on, stay on it and pass it around,"’ Mitchell joked.
The former Miami Heat sharp-shooter, signed by the Raptors last off-season, said his confidence had been sagging the past few months.
"It just comes with playing time," Kapono said. "Someone told me that Game 1 was the first time I played 30 minutes since January 1. It’s really hard as a player to play well in a short amount of time. If you miss a shot or something, you won’t play in the second half, so you’re thinking, `I’d better go 2-for-2 to stay on the floor."’
The Raptors raved about the Air Canada Centre crowd after a noisy Game 3, and hope they’ll see more of the same Saturday.
"It’s tough to win on the road," Mitchell said. "The arena feels smaller. (Thursday) night the difference for us was we’re at home, so all that cheering and stuff, it gives you more of a positive vibe than when you’re on the road, everything is negative."
