Toronto Raptors Hold Off Late Surge By Portland Trail Blazers To Win 121-118
Scottie Barnes scored 28 points to lead the Toronto Raptors over the Portland Trail Blazers 121-118 at home in the Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday night. These two teams are going in very different directions. The Raptors have won 10 of their last 12 games, while the Blazers have lost 8 of 10.
Raptors Hold Off Late Rally
After trailing by two points at the end of the first quarter, Toronto outscored Portland 60-43 over the next two quarters to take a 97-82 lead into the fourth quarter. However, that is when things would start to unravel a bit for Toronto. The Blazers started the fourth on an 8-2 run to bring the lead down to single digits.
The surge would continue later, as a layup by Deni Avdija would cut the lead to four with 6:16 to go. The two teams went back and forth for several minutes before Shaedon Sharpe hit two free throws with 3:19 left to bring Portland within two. The game came down to a furious finish. Brandon Ingram threw down a thunderous dunk with 17 seconds left to put the Raptors up four, 119-115.
Barnes blocked an Avdija floater in the lane with 8.5 seconds to go, and Ingram was fouled on the rebound. He made one of two at the line. After a Portland timeout, Jeramy Grant hit a 27-foot straight-on three to make the score 120-118 with just 2.4 seconds remaining. Ingram was fouled on the inbounds, and he again split the free throws. Avdija grabbed the rebound but could not get up a shot in time to try for the tie.
Barnes Leads Balanced Raptors Offense
Barnes had 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks to go with his game-high 28 points for Toronto. Immanuel Quickley hit five of his six three-pointers to finish with 23 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Ingram added 21 points and 6 rebounds. Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick, and Collin Murray-Boyles were also in double figures for Toronto, who were without starting Forward RJ Barrett, who was out with a sprained knee.
Avdija Stays Hot For Portland
Avdija had another big night for the Blazers, finishing with 25 points, 14 assists, and 8 rebounds. The former 2020 first-round pick scored over 30 in each of his last two games, including a triple-double on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Toumani Camara hit six three-pointers to finish with 21 points and seven boards, and Shaedon Sharpe poured in 23 points off the bench.
What’s Up Next?
With the win, Toronto improves to 15-7 on the season. The Raptors will have Wednesday off before playing the Los Angeles Lakers (15-5) Thursday night in the second game of a five-game homestand. Portland is now 8-13 after the loss. They will travel to Cleveland on Wednesday for a matchup against the Cavaliers (13-9).
