Raptors vs. Magic live stream, NBA London 2016: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

The Raptors and Magic will face off in London in the last game of the NBA Global schedule.

Jan 14, 2016, 3:13 PM UTC

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA continues to be committed to becoming a global brand. On Thursday, the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic will play a regular season game in London, the sixth such event in the past five years to be held in England. The game is the last on the schedule to be played outside of the United States and Canada following a regular season matchup between the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics in Mexico City on Dec. 3.

The Raptors are on a three-game winning streak and boast the second-best record in the East. They are doing a great job surviving without DeMarre Carroll, who is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Sixth man Terrence Ross has stepped up in his absence, while Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan continue to carry the offense, which remains Toronto's biggest strength.

The Raptors are entering a crucial stretch in their schedule and they can’t afford to lose against lesser teams. A win against the Magic won’t allow them to separate themselves from the pack, but would be the perfect way to end their five-game road trip and prepare for the seven-game home stand that will follow.

While Toronto is looking to solidify its place among the East’s elite, the Magic need the win to remain in the playoff picture. They currently have the eighth-best record in the conference but only two games separate them from the four teams immediately below them. They have won just one of their last six games, so they need to bounce back. The matchup against Toronto, a team they beat earlier in the season, could be the perfect opportunity.

The Magic are clearly outmatched in terms of star power, but their balanced attack and disruptive defense should give them a chance. If Elfrid Payton can keep Lowry in check and Nikola Vucevic outplays Jonas Valanciunas, the game could be close and Orlando might pull off the upset.

The London crowd will get to witness a game with real playoff implications between two exciting teams. The arena will surely be packed, as it has in all previous events. All the ingredients are there for a memorable event that the league hopes will help with the growth of the sport in area.