There have been stretches during Scottie Barnes’ four-year run in Toronto when the face of the Raptors’ franchise was able to take his overall game to another level.
A two-game sample size against a talent-challenged Atlanta Hawks team isn’t going to wipe away some of the concerns surrounding Barnes’ game, but two wins knowing only one road win accompanied the Raptors into Dixie for their mini-set go a very long way in unlocking Barnes’ ceiling.
Until he develops a consistent perimeter shot, which at this stage in his development seems, at best, doubtful, Barnes will need others to step up because he can’t do it alone.
With the likes of RJ Barrett and Chris Boucher providing offence, a bench that has turned the corner barring some move before the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline, the likes of Davion Mitchell playing his stout on-the-ball defence and with the Raptors overcoming a shaky start to take firm control, a two-game sweep was fashioned.
Atlanta lost the first game of the two-game series Thursday night and then got routed Saturday night as the Hawks were dealt their fourth straight loss, while the Raptors earned their season-first three-game winning streak.
The month of January began with a New Year’s Day win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets, one day after the host Boston Celtics handed Toronto its most lopsided loss in franchise history.
The Raptors are 6-6 during the month with a home date against New Orleans on Monday night followed by a road game in Washington on Wednesday.
The January slate wraps up with a Friday night visit by Chicago.
All of a sudden, the Raptors are staring at a winning month.
The Hawks came into Saturday’s tip without De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson, two of the team’s top-three leading scorers.
Trae Young is Atlanta’s best player.
He entered the night having recorded five-plus assists in 202 consecutive games.
That streak ended in the loss to the Raptors, who held Young to four dimes.
In fact, he didn’t record his first assist until early in the fourth quarter.
He was on the floor with the outcome no longer in doubt right up until the final buzzer.
“God willing I play more than 300 more games and I can get 300 straight starting now,” said Young.
“That’s part of it. I think I’ve had a long streak before and I’m going to have another long streak of getting guys involved. That’s never going to stop. If you play with me I’m going to get you the ball.”
Mind you, it’s pretty hard to get teammates the ball when 11 turnovers are committed.
It’s also hard to record an assist when teammates aren’t draining shots.
Bogdan Bogdanovic’s streak of 110 games with at least one made three-pointer came to an end Saturday.
Above all else, the two-game stay in Atlanta may have marked the beginning of a Raptors’ renewal with the operative word being may, even if the basketball calendar says it’s January.
Heading into Sunday, a quick glance at the bottom feeders in the Eastern Conference reveals a woeful Washington team that has lost 13 in a row, a Nets team that has lost six straight, and a Chicago team that has dropped two in a row.
And to reiterate, Atlanta has lost four straight.
If this recent stretch can be duplicated, it isn’t a stretch to suggest the Raptors might actually be in a position to compete for a play-in spot.
So much will depend on how active the Raptors will be in the days leading up to Feb. 6 and how well Barnes continues to play.
In Atlanta, he made a combined 17 trips to the charity stripe, converting 15 times.
In his previous 10 games, he made a combined 32 trips.
In Toronto’s 117-94 win to complete its sweep of the Hawks, Barnes scored 24 points, had seven steals, two blocks, hauled down 12 rebounds, made all seven of his free throws and committed zero fouls.
He also turned the ball over four times.
Heading into Monday’s game, Barnes’ month of January has been quite good.
It’s no coincidence the Raptors have been playing their best ball.
In 12 games, Barnes has averaged 20.1 points, 6.0 assists, 8.2 rebounds and 2.4 turnovers.
His three-point shooting is a concern, but with the way he’s able to dominate in the mid-post the Raptors can survive an off night when Barnes’ supporting cast, which includes the likes of Barrett and Boucher and at least for now Bruce Brown can elevate their game.
Barnes went 1-for-5 from distance in Saturday’s win after launching only two three-point heaves Thursday.
During the 12-game January span, he has had two oh-fer shooting games from beyond the three-point line, including an 0-for-6, two 1-for-5 nights.
Four times he’s drained at least two three-pointers, including three in Toronto’s win over Brooklyn.
He’s been playing with more emotion and aggression, attributes that have rubbed off on Barnes’ teammates.
Better starts from Toronto’s starting group would be welcome, but a poor beginning Saturday night would be overcome when the team’s bench stepped up.
After jumping out to a 27-22 first-quarter lead, Atlanta shot 32% in the second quarter.
Toronto made 54% of its shots and outscored the hosts 33-21 in the second period to take control of the game.
The Raptors have been playing better defence and have been shooting the ball better.
One does not have to be a basketball expert to know the two areas when combined often equate to wins.
The Raptors, as a result, are winning and are being led by their best player in Barnes.
New Orleans comes to town with a 4-18 road record.
The Pels lost to the Raptors when Toronto earned its first road win of the season back in late November.
New Orleans had won four in a row and five of six until it suffered back-to-back losses to Memphis Friday and Saturday to Charlotte, both on the road.
In their 123-92 loss in Charlotte, the Pelicans were led by Zion Williamson, who had 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Dejounte Murray, who led the Pelicans with 26 points in Memphis, sat out because of right elbow bursitis and a sprained finger.