TORONTO – RJ Barrett is putting his culinary spin on home cooking and dominating every time his Toronto Raptors play at Scotiabank Arena.
Barrett, from neighboring Mississauga, Ontario, led all scorers with 37 points as the Raptors beat the Miami Heat 119-116 on Sunday. It was the 24-year-old’s third straight game with 30 or more points while playing for Toronto and his fifth in seven home games this season.
“Be real. I’ve had two good races on the road now. “Don’t do that to me.” Barrett joked after scoring 22 points in Toronto’s 119-103 win at New Orleans last Wednesday and 25 points in Friday’s 121-111 loss at Miami.
“No, I was just trying to focus more. “Try to concentrate more.”
Barrett suffered a sprained shoulder in the preseason and missed the first three games of the season. He returned to the lineup on October 28 in Toronto’s 127–125 overtime loss to Denver.
Since returning, Barrett has been two different players, home and away. He averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 assists and 6 rebounds in 11 road games, but averaged 30.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists in seven games in Toronto.
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To date, he is averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists for the season.
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The split is promising for the Raptors, as the win over Miami was the first game of a long homestand that would be five or six games, depending on when the NBA decides to give Toronto two new regular season games after missing the quarterfinals. NBA Cup Season Tournament.
“It’s nice, but it doesn’t make you feel comfortable or satisfied,” Barrett said. “It was a good win tonight, but we have to get back tomorrow and get ready for Indiana (Tuesday).”
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic has his own theory as to why Barrett has been so reliable north of the border.
“I think he likes the Canadian language and Canadian food. And he seems to be really enjoying it here.” Rajakovic laughed.
Barrett isn’t the only one who is having success at home.
The Raptors (6-15) have won all but one of their wins at Scotiabank Arena, with one win in their 1-11 road record coming most recently in New Orleans. Barrett said this was a product of the young team.
“We have such amazing fans (in Toronto) that they really love us,” Barrett said. “Every time we run, that’s it. Even when we’re down, they still pick us up.
“On the road you’re dealing with other teams’ crowds and other teams’ emotions. You just have to bring your own energy and focus.”
Barrett and All-Star Scottie Barnes were especially effective in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Barrett had six points, three rebounds and two assists in the period, while Barnes had eight points, four rebounds and one assist.
“I want those guys to be really aggressive,” Rajkovic said. “I want them to score offensively, create offensively and make the right decisions once they do that.
“You can’t make good decisions passively.”
Barrett agreed.
“I think we will see a different kind of intensity in the fourth quarter,” he said. “I think it’s a big deal to understand that.
“Obviously the start of the game, the end of the game, the start of the third are moments where you really have to play hard.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2024.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2024.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
