Raptors outlast Pelicans for fourth straight win

Field Level Media|published: Mon 27th January, 22:32 2025

Jan 27, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) controls the ball as New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) defends during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Jakob Poeltl had 21 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on Monday night to stretch their winning streak to four games.

Scottie Barnes added 21 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals for the Raptors, who have won six of their last seven games. RJ Barrett contributed 17 points for Toronto and Chris Boucher scored 14. Bruce Brown netted 12 points and Gradey Dick tallied 10 points.

Zion Williamson scored 31 points for the Pelicans, who have lost three in a row. CJ McCollum added 22 points, Dejounte Murray paired 21 points with eight assists and Trey Murphy III scored 14 points.

New Orleans coach Willie Green was ejected in the fourth quarter for arguing with the officials.

The Raptors led by 17 points in the second quarter before the Pelicans took a one-point lead late in the third. The hosts regained control in the final quarter, scoring 15 of the first 19 points to build an 89-79 lead with 7:39 left.

Green was ejected with 7:22 to go and Barnes made both technical foul shots to put Toronto ahead 91-81. The Raptors stretched the lead to 14 on Barnes' layup that made it 103-89 with 3:25 remaining, and the Pelicans never got closer than nine.

Toronto led 25-20 after one quarter.

Consecutive 3-pointers by Jamal Shead and Boucher gave the Raptors a 44-33 lead with 3:55 remaining in the second period. Dick's three free throws extended the lead to 17 with 12.6 seconds left. Williamson finished the first half with a free throw that cut the lead to 56-40.

The Pelicans shot just 32.5 percent (13-for-40) from the field in the first half and Toronto shot 41.2 percent (21-for-51).

McCollum's layup pulled New Orleans within 60-55 with 6:55 to go in the third quarter, but Brown's jumper bumped the lead to nine with 3:43 left.

New Orleans came back to cut the lead to two on Murphy's 3-pointer with 2:13 remaining in the third, and the Pelicans took a 73-72 lead when Murphy hit another triple with 41.6 seconds remaining. New Orleans led 75-74 after three quarters.

Toronto's Immanuel Quickley (hip) and Kelly Olynyk (calf) did not play.

Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Herbert Jones (shoulder) were out for the Pelicans.

--Field Level Media

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