TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors have been lacking two issues towards the Miami Warmth: a stable effort within the first quarter and Jakob Poeltl.
RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., scored 23 of his 29 factors after halftime because the Toronto Raptors rallied towards the Warmth however finally misplaced to Miami 120-111 in time beyond regulation on Friday. Barrett was held scoreless within the first quarter as Toronto trailed by as many as 14 within the body.
“Began gradual, however we picked it up all through the course of the sport,” mentioned Barrett, who had 4 assists and three rebounds. “We gained the second, third and fourth quarter.
“So clearly, gradual begin there. The primary might be the distinction within the sport.”
Barrett and Immanuel Quickley fuelled the Raptors’ (17-39) comeback, with 10 and 9 factors, respectively, within the third quarter. Quickley completed with 23 factors, seven rebounds and three assists.
The fourth quarter was virtually all Barrett.
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Barrett had 9 factors within the fourth and scored all 4 of Toronto’s factors in time beyond regulation whereas the remainder of his teammates have been 0 for six within the additional interval. He mentioned he had been motivated by the trash speak of former teammate Davion Mitchell, who was despatched to Miami on Feb. 6 forward of the NBA’s commerce deadline as a part of the five-team deal that moved Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors.
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“(Mitchell) was simply speaking a lot,” mentioned Barrett. “He was speaking whereas he had the ball earlier than he even scored, after which he made the layup, after which (Scottie Barnes) heard it.
“Scottie referred to as a play for me, after which I went again, and I scored after which sort of simply received rolling from there. The trash speak, enjoyable a part of the sport helped get me going for certain.”
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned that popping out flat within the first quarter price his group the win.
“I assumed the sport was just about within the first quarter,” mentioned Rajakovic. “The best way we opened up the primary quarter, having seven turnovers there, that set us up actually for a poor defensive efficiency.
“We gained the second, third, and fourth quarter, however we have to have a greater begin to the sport, and that was a giant emphasis for us as we speak.”
Though it was solely the eighth sport this season the place Barrett, Quickley, and Barnes received to play collectively, it was Poeltl’s absence that Rajakovic mentioned had the most important influence on the sport. The 29-year-old centre hasn’t performed since Feb. 4, out with a proper hip pointer.
“Not having Jak, who’s our connection, he’s the glue for our group, the way in which he units screens, the way in which he areas the ground, the way in which we play by him,” mentioned Rajakovic. “It’s laborious to judge with out that impact on the courtroom.”
Poeltl’s absence additionally allowed Warmth ahead Bam Adebayo free reign, scoring 19 factors and knocking down 12 rebounds. Miami had 54 factors within the paint to Toronto’s 36.
Barnes briefly left the sport within the first quarter after rolling his ankle however returned to complete with 13 factors and 6 rebounds in 38 minutes of play.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Feb. 21, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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