The Toronto Raptors, who are currently on a three-game winning streak, look to extend their strong run when they host the New Orleans Pelicans in Toronto on Monday night.
Toronto finished a two-game road trip with a 117-94 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The Raptors have now won five of their last six games, following a five-game losing streak.
“Great win, our guys were able to sustain their intensity at the defensive end,” said Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic. “Proud of our defensive effort. Still think we can add another layer of discipline and execution to be better. We shared the ball, played together.”
Although Toronto committed 21 turnovers, leading to 17 points for the Hawks, they took advantage of Atlanta’s 24 turnovers, converting them into 24 points. In Thursday’s 122-119 win over the Hawks, the Raptors committed 20 turnovers that led to 28 points for Atlanta.
“Definitely not happy with our turnovers again, 21 is way too much, and we’ve got to continue addressing that and getting better in that area,” Rajakovic said.
Toronto limited Trae Young to just 16 points and four assists on Saturday, and forced him into a season-high 11 turnovers.
“Davion Mitchell, Jamal Shead, Bruce Brown, all those three are elite defenders, and we really wanted to make it hard on (Young), to pick up full court, to be physical with him,” Rajakovic said. “Especially when he gives the ball up, to not allow him to get it back in his hands.”
Scottie Barnes had an all-around performance, putting up 24 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, two blocked shots, and two steals. RJ Barrett added 23 points and eight rebounds, while Chris Boucher came off the bench to score 23 points.
Toronto shot 46.7 percent from the field (42-for-90) and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc (11-for-30).
The Raptors had only one road win before this, a 119-93 victory at New Orleans on November 27. Their win against Atlanta on Thursday ended a nine-game road losing streak.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are coming off a tough 123-92 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, completing a three-game road trip.
“We didn’t bring it, we didn’t have it. No excuses, they kicked our butts,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green.
The Pelicans struggled with their shooting, hitting just 8 of 31 attempts from three-point range (25.8 percent) and 32 of 84 from the field (38.1 percent).
“We didn’t play with any force,” Green said.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 28 points and 11 rebounds in his fifth game back after a hamstring injury. He had missed the previous two games due to illness.
“He was attacking, he was getting downhill, getting to the basket,” Green said. “He did a great job rebounding, which is an area we have to improve in. Just getting him on the floor and, hopefully, he can continue gaining his rhythm.”
The Pelicans were also without guard Dejounte Murray, who is dealing with a sprained right index finger and right elbow bursitis.
Jordan Hawkins stepped into the starting lineup, scoring 14 points in Murray’s absence. Trey Murphy III added 16 points, and Yves Missi contributed 12 points and eight rebounds.
“It starts with our ability to play with force and be mentally tough during difficult circumstances, and (Saturday) was not our best job,” Green said.
For the Raptors, Kelly Olynyk did not play on Saturday due to tightness in his right calf. Ochai Agbaji (hand) and Immanuel Quickley (hip) remained out for Toronto.
In their previous win against New Orleans two months ago, Agbaji and Jamison Battle each scored 24 points. For New Orleans, CJ McCollum scored 19 points.
