The Raptors could still be a tough out in the postseason.
The Toronto Raptors didn't just beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.
They sent a message about who they want to be heading into the final stretch of the regular season, rolling to a dominant 128-96 victory behind a collective effort that had the entire roster locked in from the opening tip.
Rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles was one of the biggest reasons why.
He finished with 19 points off the bench and spoke after the game about the mindset the team carried into FedExForum, and his words painted a picture of a group that's done messing around.
"Coming in with a new energy, we have somewhere that we want to get to, trying to make the playoffs and make a good run," Murray-Boyles said. "This is the start of it. Just trying to be as professional as possible, take everybody with respect. That's what BI ultimately told me. 'Just play as hard as you can. Let's blow this game out of the water.'"
Toronto Played Like It Had Something to Prove
It showed from the jump.
The Raptors opened on an 11-0 run and never really let Memphis breathe, leading 59-41 at halftime before stretching the advantage to 33 in the fourth quarter.
Toronto shot 52.4 percent from the field as a team and turned 20 Grizzlies turnovers into easy buckets in transition, with RJ Barrett leading the way with 25 points and Brandon Ingram adding 17 points and seven rebounds.
Scottie Barnes chipped in 10 points and six assists in what felt like a relaxed night for him.
The win snapped a two-game skid for the Raptors and moved them to 43-34, keeping them tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
That matters a lot right now because finishing in the top six means you avoid the play-in tournament entirely, and Toronto is fighting tooth and nail with Philly, Orlando, and Miami for those final guaranteed spots.
Why This Team Shouldn't Be Counted Out
The Raptors haven't been perfect this season. Inconsistent offense, key injuries to guys like Immanuel Quickley, and a lack of depth have made the ride bumpy at times.
But the pieces are there when everyone is healthy and engaged.
Ingram has been one of the steadiest scorers in the league since arriving in Toronto, Barnes is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, and Barrett has elevated his two-way game to another level in the second half of the season.
Then there's the Murray-Boyles factor.
The No. 9 pick out of South Carolina is averaging 8.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 55.7 percent from the field this season, and his defensive versatility has made him one of the most important young players on the roster.
Nights like Friday, when he's aggressive and feeding off the energy that Ingram is setting, show exactly why Toronto feels confident about what they're building.
With Ja'Kobe Walter heating up from three and Jamal Shead running the second unit, this team has enough to be dangerous in April and beyond.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, dropped to 25-52 with six players ruled out for the season and a roster full of 10-day contract players.
It was always going to be a tough night for Memphis, but the way Toronto handled business was the real story.