The superstar battle was underwhleming in this one, as Scottie and the Raptors dominated on both ends of the floor.
Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors dismantled the Orlando Magic Sunday night in a 139-87 annihilation at Scotiabank Arena. In an all-important game for the Eastern Conference standings watch, the short-handed Raptors put on an offensive onslaught, marking the fifth-most points they have scored in a game this season (via StatMuse). This includes a 31-0 run, which was the most points scored in an unanswered run by any team in the NBA since the dawn of the play-by-play era in 1997-98.
Starting point guard Immanuel Quickley has missed four straight games due to plantar fasciitis. While the severity of his injury remains unknown, Barnes has unleashed an aspect of his game that many didn’t know he had. In those four games, the two-time All-Star has achieved double-digits every game, something he had only done before this season four times total. Against the Magic, the former No. 4 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, 15 assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) | © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesHis incredible display of playmaking has only added to his immense impact on the game in its totality. The former Florida State Seminole is making a case to win Defensive Player of the Year with his relentless pressure on and off the ball, along with his versatility in guarding anyone on the floor. While he may not be the team’s go-to guy when they need a basket, his ability to run the pick-and-roll and attack the basket has provided more spacing for his teammates to score at will.
Orlando superstar forward Paolo Banchero had an interesting comment about the Raptors’ superstar when speaking to the media after the blowout loss.
“That’s a guy you would love to play with, just off the strength of how he contributes to his team,” said Banchero. “He’s not really ever caught up in the scoring. He’s always trying to look to find others, guards at a high level, picks up full court. He’s always been a super impactful player in my eyes in terms of the stuff he does for the team. He’s just a winning player.”
Obviously, the Raptors are not a better team without their starting point guard. However, Barnes’ impact is even higher than most knew he was capable of when the offense runs through him. If the Raptors can continue to produce such impressive offensive performances with the ball in Barnes’ hands, a decision may need to be made whether Quickley is more beneficial to the team as a starter or running the second unit. Ja’Kobe Walter has thrived with more playing time, as he has made 27 threes over the last nine games on 61.8% shooting from deep.
It’s worth noting that all three of the Raptors’ wins in the last four games haven’t come against the greatest competition. With Quickley out again tonight against Detroit, Barnes and Toronto will be truly tested, as the top team in the East will look to avoid losing back-to-back games against the Raptors.