FSU Basketball: Jonathan Isaac looks for repeat of strong NBA playoff debut

Jonathan Isaac came out strong in the first postseason game of his professional career – and the former FSU basketball star looks to duplicate that Tuesday.

Entering this weekend’s action that started the NBA playoffs, there aren’t many people outside of Central Florida who put much stock in the Orlando Magic – but after the first 48 minutes of action, the men from the Sunshine State are being taken seriously, thanks in part to the play of their star youngster and former FSU basketball star Jonathan Isaac.

After spending most of his rookie season injured, Isaac became a major piece of the puzzle on both offense and defense in Orlando this season in helping the Magic get to the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference where they open up in a best of seven series against the Toronto Raptors.

Jonathan Isaac – who was questionable for the opener on Saturday after having to go through the league’s concussion protocol before being cleared last Thursday – did things on both sides of the court as the Magic got a three point win over the Raptors.

On defense, Isaac came up with three blocks to lead all players for both teams and keep the Magic in the game.

On offense, the name Jonathan Isaac gave the Raptors nightmares after he came up with 11 crucial points in 40 minutes – including a basket to end the third quarter that pulled Orlando within one and a three pointer that gave them the lead with under two minutes to go in the game.

Isaac also added eight rebounds in the game as the Magic look to win their first playoff series since the 2009-10 season – when Orlando swept their first two series before getting knocked out by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s the first time Orlando has been in the playoffs since the 2011-12 season, when they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the opening round after winning the opener of that series. Game Two takes place Tuesday night at 8 p.m.