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Raptors look to even series with Magic

Apr 22, 2008 - 2:59 PM Toronto at Orlando 7:30 pm EDT Eastern Conference first round Magic lead, 1-0

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Coach Sam Mitchell and the Toronto Raptors have been on a downward spiral for some time now - and the Orlando Magic are taking advantage of it.

The sixth-seeded Raptors look to bounce back in Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup against the third-seeded Magic on Tuesday.

Anthony Parker scored 24 points and Chris Bosh added 21 and three steals, but Toronto still dropped a 114-100 decision to Orlando in Sunday's series opener.

"We did make our run, but it takes a lot out of you," Parker said. "Every time we did make a run, they made plays that put it back to 10 or 12. We just never got over that hump."

It was the fifth consecutive road loss for the Raptors, who trailed by as many as 20 points after allowing nine 3-pointers in the first quarter.

"It was incredible, couldn't ask for a better start," said Magic guard Keyon Dooling, who made a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter. "I think we were focused, they were focused. But all we did was take care of home court."

All-Star Dwight Howard collected 25 points, 22 rebounds and five blocks in helping the Magic capture their first postseason win since 2003.

The 23-year-old Howard's performance was the fourth 20-20 outing in Orlando's playoff history, with the last one coming by Horace Grant in 1996.

"I thought Dwight was incredible," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "We did not do a good job of getting him the ball, and (Howard) still had 25 (points), 22 (rebounds) and five blocks. He did it on his own."

"It was an amazing feeling for me," Howard said. "I am happy to finally get a playoff win under my belt. We've worked so hard for this moment, but it's just the first game. We know we have a long way to go."

After starting 75 games in the regular season, rookie Jamario Moon played just five minutes in Game One following Mitchell's decision to insert former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani into the staring lineup.