TORONTO — RJ Barrett brings the cooking to the home, dominating the sport each time his Toronto Raptors play at Scotiabank Area. Barrett, from close by Mississauga, Ontario.
TORONTO — RJ Barrett brings the cooking to the home, dominating the sport each time his Toronto Raptors play at Scotiabank Area.
Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., led all scorers with 37 factors because the Raptors beat the Miami Warmth 119-116 on Sunday. It was the third straight recreation the 24-year-old had 30-plus factors in Toronto, and the fifth time in seven dwelling video games this season.
“Be lifelike. I had two good video games on the highway. Do not make me like that,” Barrett joked, noting his 22-point efficiency in Toronto’s 119-103 win at New Orleans final Wednesday and his 25 factors in a 121-111 loss at Miami on Friday.
“No, I simply tried to pay attention slightly extra. Put slightly extra consideration into it.”
Barrett missed the primary three video games of the season after spraining his shoulder within the preseason. He returned to the lineup on October 28 in a 127–125 additional time loss to Denver in Toronto.
Since his return, Barrett has been two totally different gamers dwelling and away. He averaged 19.4 factors, 6.5 assists and 6 rebounds in 11 video games away, however averaged 30.4 factors, 6.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists in seven video games away. Toronto.
Thus far, he has averaged 23.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
These splits are promising for the Raptors, because the win towards Miami was the primary recreation of a protracted homestand that may final 5 – 6 video games, relying on when the NBA decides to award Toronto two new common season video games after having missed the quarter-finals of the NBA Cup Event in the course of the season.
“That’s good, however you’ll be able to’t get snug, you’ll be able to’t get complacent,” Barrett mentioned. “It was a great win tonight, however now we have to return tomorrow and prepare for Indiana (Tuesday).”
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has his personal idea on why Barrett has been so dependable north of the border.
“I feel he loves the Canadian language and Canadian meals, and he actually enjoys it right here,” Rajakovic laughed.
It is not simply Barrett who is prospering at dwelling.
The Raptors (6-15) have gained all however one in every of their wins at Scotiabank Area, with the one win on their 1-11 highway report being the current win at New Orleans. Barrett mentioned it was a product of being a part of a younger staff.
“We have now such wonderful followers (in Toronto), so that they actually admire us,” Barrett mentioned. “Each time we go racing, that’s it. Even after we’re down, they’re at all times there to select us up.
“On the highway, you are going towards the opposite staff’s crowd and the opposite staff’s feeling. You simply must deliver your individual vitality and focus.”
Barrett and star Scottie Barnes had been significantly efficient in Sunday’s fourth quarter. Barrett had six factors, three rebounds and two assists within the interval, whereas Barnes had eight factors, 4 rebounds and one help.
“I would like these guys to be actually aggressive,” Rajakovic mentioned. “I would like them to be aggressive to attain, aggressive to create, and when you try this, make the best choices.
“We can’t be passive and make the best choices.”
Barrett agreed.
“I feel the fourth quarter brings a distinct depth,” he mentioned. “Understanding that, I feel it’s a giant factor.
“Undoubtedly the start of the sport, the top of the sport, the start of the third, these are occasions while you actually must play exhausting.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed December 1, 2024.
Observe jchidleyhill.bsky.social on Bluesky
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed December 1, 2024.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
