Barnes Shines as Raptors Edge Blazers in Thrilling Finish
So here’s what went down in Toronto — and honestly, it felt like one of those nights where the Raptors simply refused to let the moment slip away. Coming off back-to-back losses, the team walked into this matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers knowing they couldn’t afford to let the skid grow. And thanks to Scottie Barnes, they didn’t.
Scottie was everywhere on the floor. He dropped 28 points, with 13 of those coming in a scorching second quarter that really shifted the momentum. It wasn’t just scoring, though. He piled up seven rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks, all while being recognized before the game as the NBA Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month. It felt like he played with that award still fresh in his mind — as if he wanted to prove instantly why he deserved it.
Also Read:Immanuel Quickley stepped right up beside him, adding 23 points and eight assists, and he was almost automatic from deep. Quickley knocked down five of his six three-point attempts, making nearly half of Toronto’s total threes by himself. And that early second-quarter triple he hit? That one tied the game at 40–40 and sparked a huge 16–3 run that gave the Raptors a solid cushion. It ended up being one of the defining moments of the night.
Portland didn’t just roll over, though. Deni Avdija put together a huge performance — 25 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds — while Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe kept the pressure on with their scoring bursts. Five Blazers reached double digits, but even with that balanced attack, they struggled to slow Toronto in the paint. The Raptors outscored them 64–50 inside and absolutely dominated the fast break, where they’re the best in the league. Toronto finished with 25 fast-break points, compared to Portland’s 10.
A big storyline around the team right now is the continued absence of RJ Barrett. He’s still recovering from that sprained right knee he suffered after an awkward landing on November 23. And the Raptors clearly feel his absence. Both Barnes and Quickley talked about how much they miss his scoring, transition pressure, and defence. He had been averaging nearly 20 points per game before the injury, and without him, other players have had to stretch their roles a bit more.
Still, the Raptors found a way. Their clutch execution, their defensive intensity, and the leadership from Barnes and Quickley helped them avoid a third straight loss. The win also bumped them back up to second place in the Eastern Conference and restored some momentum heading into their next big challenge — hosting the Los Angeles Lakers.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was gritty, timely, and exactly what Toronto needed.
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