TORONTO — RJ Barrett led the Toronto Raptors with 20 points, while Jakob Poeltl contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Raptors secure a 115-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. This win marked Toronto’s eighth victory in their last ten games, breaking a five-game losing streak against the Clippers.
Supporting Barrett, Gradey Dick added 18 points, and Scottie Barnes chipped in with 15. The balanced offensive effort featured contributions from seven different Raptors players who all scored in double figures, including Ochai Agbaji with 12 points, Immanuel Quickley who had 11, and Ja’Kobe Walter who scored 10.
For the Clippers, James Harden stood out with 25 points, but his shooting was less than stellar as he went 7 for 20 from the field and 2 for 9 from beyond the arc, although he was perfect from the free-throw line with 9 attempts. Ivica Zubac added 18 points, while Kevin Porter Jr. contributed 17, and Kawhi Leonard finished with 14 points.
Harden struggled in the third quarter, shooting just 1 for 7 and missing all four of his three-point attempts. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ team performance faltered as they shot 7 for 25 in that quarter, with just a 2 for 10 showing from long range.
In an unusual pre-game atmosphere, some fans expressed their discontent during the American national anthem, a sentiment that seemed to resonate at NHL games in Canada the night before.
Despite the challenges, the Raptors shone in the third quarter when Poeltl’s emphatic dunk with 6:48 on the clock triggered a surge of momentum, leading to a 12-2 run and prompting a timeout from the Clippers. Toronto concluded the quarter strong, outscoring Los Angeles 24-10, which paved the way for a 92-77 lead heading into the final frame.
Statistically impressive, the Raptors capitalized on their fast-break opportunities in the third quarter, shooting an exceptional 8 for 9 and drastically outscoring the Clippers, 17-2.
Looking ahead, both teams will continue their campaigns on Tuesday evening, with the Raptors set to host the New York Knicks while the Clippers will face off against the Los Angeles Lakers.
