Three takeaways from Wednesday night’s 119-93 Raptors romp over the New Orleans Pelicans in the Crescent City, the third game of Toronto’s four-game road trip that will wrap up Friday night in South Beach in an NBA Cup tip knowing their 10-game season-opening losing streak on the road is history.
The teams combined to heave up 87 three-ball attempts.
NOT SO EASY IN THE BIG EASY
The Raptors and Pels did not do basketball any service in how the first quarter played out — 12 minutes of brutal hoops, including numerous air balls being heaved from beyond the three-point arc by the home team.
Toronto did emerge with a 21-20 lead after the first period, a major accomplishment for a team that normally digs itself an early hole when playing on the road.
Granted, it did come at the expense of a very feeble and deficient Pelicans team that, like the Raps, has been ravaged by injury. But a lead is a lead, regardless of how it’s produced, and it did allow the Raptors to punch first.
Neither team shot the ball well, which is to state the obvious. New Orleans made one of its 12 shots from distance, while the Raptors resorted to their inner Boston Celtics in jacking up three after three, though Toronto’s skill level in that department is nowhere near the reigning champs.
Oddly enough and perhaps fittingly, the game’s first look came off a three-pointer, only this attempt actually dropped when rookie Ja’Kobe Walter buried a pocket three-ball from the left corner.
Meanwhile, How the Raptors were able to make a seven-footer in Jakob Poeltl disappear is anyone’s guess. The big man became a complete afterthought in Toronto’s offence amid the brick-fest and finished with a mere two points.
Scottie Barnes was just 7-for-23 from the field, including 2-for-12 from three-point land and finished with 17 points.
GRIN AND BARRETT
Once Barnes returned from his orbital fracture, it was inevitable that roles would be tweaked. During his absence, RJ Barrett and Poeltl formed a quality tandem as the two found themselves in the middle of Toronto’s offence.
During a brief stretch, the two were formidable, including Barrett posting a career-first triple double on Nov. 16 against the Celtics, Poeltl netting a career high in points with 35.
But it’s no secret that Barrett has struggled on the road, his career night in Boston notwithstanding. To his credit, though, he did not settle for shots against the Pels when they weren’t dropping for him and finished with 22 points.
He sees the floor well, an area that often goes overlooked, and his cross-court passes are usually on point, allowing a teammate to catch and shoot.
When opponents aren’t extending their defence, Barrett is more than capable of bringing the ball up the court. In the opening half, Barrett had more assists (4) than makes (3).
Once again, Barrett’s inability to convert from the line was concerning. He missed two free throws in the opening half and had more turnovers (2) than free throws made (1).
As a team, the Raptors attempted only five free throws and missed three.
An odd stat emerged that saw the Raptors shoot better from distance (41.4%) than from the charity stripe (40%).
AGBAJI RESPONDS
Ochai Agbaji has struggled of late and his head coach, Darko Rajakovic didn’t mince any words when sizing up the situation.
To his credit, Agbaji stepped up in New Orleans, scoring 25 points, which tied Jamison Battle for team-high.
He’s undersized, but Agbaji always plays with heart and is more than willing to punch above his weight.
Corner threes have become his calling card and there were plenty of opportunities on a night when New Orleans had no interest in defending the three-point arc.
With Gradey Dick missing his second straight game (calf contusion), shots are available to more players. Agbaji took advantage of his opportunities as did Battle, who made all four of his three-pointers through three quarters that saw the Raptors lead 87-63.
Battle missed his first shot on a clean look on Toronto’s first possession in the fourth quarter but buried his next look.
About one minute later, Poeltl recorded his only basket of the night.