Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (31 factors) and Scottie Barnes led in a 110-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening. With one other spectacular efficiency, Barrett has entered Raptors’ Vince Carter territory. He additionally had Barnes, who completed with 17 factors and 6 assists, again within the lineup. Toronto received its second victory in three tries. Barnes missed eleven video games on account of orbital fracture; His return made all of the distinction.
After the victory, Barrett mentioned have Barnes again within the fold, in line with Michael Grange of TSN Sports activities.
“Scottie Barnes. Man, that was enjoyable…He is a particular participant.
Barnes’ presence alone takes among the defensive strain off Barrett, which he appreciated after eleven video games with out him. It additionally takes the strain off RJ and the remainder of his Raptor teammates, as he defined.
“He actually made it simpler. I used to be simply stress-free, ready, looking for the place I can play,” Barrett added. “However Scottie, like I stated, he’s a really particular participant, and when you have got a man like that, it makes everybody’s job simpler.”
RJ Barrett makes Raptors franchise historical past by becoming a member of Vince Carter
Perhaps have Scottie Barnes coming back from damage made the distinction for Raptors ahead RJ Barrett, however he is been on a tear these days and made franchise historical past. Barrett joined Vince Carter (2000-01), Chris Bosh (2008-09), DeMar DeRozan (2016-17) and Pascal Siakam (2019-20) within the franchise historical past books. He turned truthful the fifth participant in Raptors franchise historical past to whole 5 or extra 30-plus level performances via the primary 13 video games of the common season, in line with Sportsnet Stats’ X, previously Twitter.
It was nice for Barnes to be again on the sector and rejoining his teammates after lacking the final three weeks.
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“These guys play arduous. They performed very arduous, counting on their sport plan. So we do the best issues day by day,” Barnes stated. “We put in a number of effort there. We’re working collectively collectively to attempt to get that dubbing finished. Our bench labored very nicely.
Barnes completed with 17 factors on 5-of-11 makes an attempt, 2-of-5 from deep, six assists, three rebounds and a steal. He and Barrett led 4 Raptors who scored in double figures, together with Jacob Poeltl, who delivered a double-double efficiency (15 factors, 12 rebounds). Chris Boucher, who led the second unit, scored 22 factors, 4 rebounds, two steals and a block.
Barrett, Barnes and the remainder of the Raptors’ subsequent sport is Sunday towards the Cavaliers.
