Poeltl, Barnes lead Raptors past Pelicans 113-104 for Toronto's first 4-game win streak since 2023

Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) battles with New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) for control of the ball during second half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO (AP) — Jakob Poeltl had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Scottie Barnes had 21 points and 11 boards, and the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on Monday night for their first four-game winning streak in almost two years.

RJ Barrett scored 17 points for Toronto and Chris Boucher had 14.

Toronto last won four straight from Feb. 12-25, 2023, a run that also included a home victory over the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson scored 31 points and CJ McCollum had 22 as the Pelicans dropped to 4-19 on the road.

Dejounte Murray scored 21 points and Trey Murphy III added 14 for New Orleans, which shot 6 of 28 from 3-point range.

The Raptors had lost 17 of 20 before beating Orlando last Tuesday at home. Toronto then swept a two-game series at Atlanta, its second and third road wins of the season.

The Raptors started 0-10 away from home before winning at New Orleans on Nov. 27.

Takeaways

Pelicans: Coach Willie Green was ejected for a double technical with 7:22 left in the fourth after he went onto the court to argue a non-call on Williamson’s driving basket.

Raptors: Barnes — who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week earlier Monday, his first such honor — finished 6 of 21 from the field and 1 of 7 from 3-point range.

Key moment

After being outscored 35-18 in the third, turning a 16-point lead into a one-point deficit, Toronto regained control with a 10-2 spurt to begin the fourth.

Key stat

Williamson shot 7 of 9 in the first half but the rest of the Pelicans combined to go 6 of 32. New Orleans trailed 56-40 at the break.

Up next

Both teams play again Wednesday, when New Orleans hosts Dallas and Toronto visits Washington.