Raptors weather storm, foil Trail Blazers’ comeback attempt

Scottie Barnes scored 28 points and the Toronto Raptors opened a five-game homestand Tuesday night by holding on for a 121-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Immanuel Quickley added 23 points for the Raptors, who had lost their two previous games.

They have won eight straight home games.

Brandon Ingram had 21 points for Toronto, Gradey Dick scored 14 points, Jakob Poeltl contributed 11 and Collin Murray-Boyles tallied 10.

Deni Avdija had 25 points and 14 assists for the Trail Blazers, who have lost three straight. Shaedon Sharpe added 23 points, Toumani Camara scored 21 and Jerami Grant pitched in 19. Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Toronto led by 15 entering the fourth quarter, but Portland trimmed the lead to nine on Avdija's layup with 9:41 remaining. Dick responded with five straight points.

Toronto became stagnant on offense and Portland took advantage with a 10-0 run to close the gap to four. Sharpe made two free throws to cut the lead to two with 1:17 left.

Avdija was called for an offensive foul with 39 seconds to play and Toronto led by four on Ingram's dunk with 0:17 remaining. Barnes made a key block with 0:09 to go.

Grant hit a 3-pointer with two seconds to play and Ingram made a free throw.

Portland led by as many as nine points in a loosely played first quarter but settled for a 39-37 lead.

Portland's shooting went cold to open the second quarter and Toronto continued to get easy baskets in the paint, opening a 53-43 lead with 8:09 to play. An 8-0 Portland spurt pared the lead to two with 4:45 left.

Barnes nailed a 3-pointer to bump the margin to seven before Portland came back to tie at 58 on Avdija's 3-pointer. Toronto closed the first half with a 7-1 surge to lead 65-59.

Toronto pulled ahead by 13 on Poeltl's reverse layup with 7:30 left in the third quarter.

Portland tried to chip away but Toronto stiffened on defense and took a 16-point lead with 1:21 to play in the third quarter on Dick's 15-foot jumper. The Raptors led 97-82 after the third.

--Field Level Media