Red-hot Raptors survive an explosive night from Zion Williamson to post fourth straight win
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In the game within the game, Scottie Barnes and Zion Williamson would often get matched up against each other Monday night as the host Raptors were looking to keep the good times rolling.
The mano a mano matchup was both compelling and competitive.
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Red-hot Raptors survive an explosive night from Zion Williamson to post fourth straight win Back to video
At one point, Williamson took exception to a non-call on a drive to the rim, prompting New Orleans head coach Willie Green to voice his displeasure.
The officials felt he exceeded the boundary and ejected Green five minutes into the fourth quarter.
The sequence did highlight how intense the night would unfold, even though each team had taken turns heaving bricks for extended stretches.
Williamson won the game within the game, but the Raptors emerged with a 113-104 win, their season-high fourth victory in a row and sixth in their past seven.
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Toronto’s bench was once again crucial in the win, Chris Boucher once again instrumental in leading the second unit.
The Raptors earned their first road win in New Orleans back in late November when Williamson was unavailable.
When he’s healthy, the guy is a beast and unstoppable when attacking the basket.
He scored a game-high 29 points in the loss, while Barnes flirted with a triple-double in an epic duel.
The Raptors had 10 players score at least two points with no player reaching double figures in the opening half, which would see Toronto take a 56-40 lead into the break.
Toronto played exceptionally well on the defensive end and as a result overcame its shooting woes.
The first half was short on highlights, but one did play out when Williamson took Barnes off the dribble before finishing on a reverse layup.
Barnes went 2-for-12 from the field in the half.
New Orleans began to get into the game by starting the third quarter with a much improved level of intensity and a greater sense of urgency.
Williamson emerged as the catalyst.
His weaknesses were exposed when trips to the foul line were made or when Williamson exercised poor judgment with the rock.
His activity was contagious as New Orleans would make it a five-point game before the visitors buried a three-pointer to make it a 70-68 game.
It was game on.
The Raptors yielded too many open looks, allowing New Orleans to take its first lead since leading 5-4 two minutes into the night.
New Orleans played harder and executed better than the Raptors and was deserving of its 75-74 advantage through three quarters.
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