TORONTO — For perhaps the first time this season, the Toronto Raptors looked like the Toronto Raptors. 

Specifically looked like the group that clawed and scrapped their way into the playoffs for the first time in four years last season and once there very nearly clawed and scrapped their way into the second round. 

They looked like the team they’re going to need to be whether Kawhi Leonard is in the lineup or not, but especially if he’s not.

There were, in the same game, sightings of Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles and even Jamison Battle. 

Meanwhile, RJ Barrett put his shoulder into the load and, with the help of Scottie Barnes — putting memories of his scoreless 0-of-12 debacle against Minnesota Sunday into the rearview — gave the Raptors the kind of one-two punch they’re going to need at the top of their rotation while Leonard is out trying to get the swelling in his left knee to settle down. 

The result Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena was exactly what the basketball doctor ordered: an encouraging all-round performance against the Orlando Magic that delivered a comfortable 129-99 win in the first of a two-game home set that picks up again on Friday. 

For the Raptors, it was some welcome proof of concept. They didn’t go to all the risk, trouble and expense of acquiring and signing Leonard so that they could flounder around when the 15-year veteran with a long history of knee issues inevitably misses some games, and maybe a lot of them. 

They did it because they were convinced their young core could be competitive enough in games without Leonard to make it worthwhile, with the hope that it all comes together in the playoffs. 

“You don’t have an opportunity to add a player like Kawhi Leonard that easily… him wanting to come home and us believing he’s a great fit for our team, it was an easy decision to make,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “And we believe that we have a pretty deep roster. We saw pretty much these same guys perform in the playoffs and we are confident in the work we’re putting in that guys are improving and getting better and that gives us every confidence every single night that we are good and deep enough that we can face any team in the league.”

They weren’t good enough through any part of their roster against the Timberwolves, as the Raptors got blown out while Leonard sat out in what was also their first chance to compete........

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