Last night the Toronto Raptors snapped their skid and got back on track, edging the Portland Trail Blazers 121 to 118 at Scotiabank Arena. It was the kind of game that tested a team’s character and depth. For fans who have been around the block a few times with this club, it felt good to see them grind this one out.
Barnes Took Over When It Counted
Scottie Barnes led the way with 28 points, finishing 10 of 18 from the floor, and he added seven rebounds, seven assists and two blocks. He carried the offence during key stretches and made plays when the Blazers threatened to erase a big lead. That night from Barnes looked like the kind of performance this team can lean on.
Balanced Contributions Kept Things Going
Immanuel Quickley gave Toronto a huge boost with 23 points and eight assists, knocking down shots and keeping the offence humming. Brandon Ingram added 21 points and played with the veteran calm the Raptors need in these tight finishes. Off the bench, Gradey Dick delivered 14 points, showing he was healthy and ready after the earlier scare. Jakob Poeltl chipped in with 11 points and the team effort was exactly why Toronto found a way to win.
Portland Pushed Hard but Came Up Short
Portland fought back hard late. Deni Avdija had a monster night with 25 points and 14 assists, and Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara each hit big shots that kept the game close down the stretch. The Blazers cut the lead to two late, but a late offensive foul on Avdija and some clutch scoring from Barnes and Ingram helped Toronto hold on.
Where the Standings Sit and What That Means
With the win the Raptors remained near the top of the Eastern Conference and were sitting second in the East heading into the next slate of games. They were still a few games back of first place, so the chase was on, but the important thing was that the team kept pace and did not let a two game skid turn into something uglier. To get closer to first they will need to avoid slow starts and continue winning the tight games.
Gradey Dick’s Status
After the scary fall earlier last month the team is still keeping a close eye on Gradey Dick. He did play last night and looked fine on the floor, finishing with 14 points and helping the bench maintain spacing and energy. The club continues to monitor him, but getting him back and productive was a big plus.
What Needs to Happen Next
A couple of clear things jumped out from this one: hold leads better in the third quarter, keep limiting easy transition points, and keep the bench contributions coming. If Toronto can keep the starters healthy, the role players hitting shots, and the defence disciplined early, they will keep climbing. This team has shown resilience and it was on display again last night.
What’s Next for the Raptors
The Raptors had a short turnaround and are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Lakers next on December 4 and a courtside seat will cost you about $3K right now! This game will be a quick chance to build on this win, keep the homestand rolling, and prove that last night was not just a flash. If they show up with the same energy at Scotiabank Arena, the fans will have a lot to cheer about.
Final Thought from a Long-Time Fan
I have been waiting for this kind of night. It was not pretty at all times, but it was the kind of win that makes you feel the season still has legs. Scottie Barnes played like a leader, Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram came through, and the bench contributions mattered. If they keep improving the details, imagine how good they could be by spring. I am excited again, and I am not going anywhere.
👏 Let’s Go Raptors 👏
