Raptors’ Defense Shines in Victory Over Pelicans

Raptors players defending against Pelicans in an intense NBA game.

On Monday night, the Toronto Raptors leaned heavily on their defense to secure a 113-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite a rocky third quarter, during which a 16-point halftime lead dwindled to a one-point deficit, Toronto regrouped and showcased a renewed commitment to defensive intensity in the final frame, earning their fourth consecutive win.

After limiting New Orleans to 40 points in the first half, the Raptors conceded 35 in the third quarter. The sudden defensive lapse prompted head coach Darko Rajakovic to address his team during a pivotal break. “I thought that turnovers and shot selection led to problems that we had with transition defense and them scoring quite a bit,” Rajakovic explained. “That was exactly the message I delivered to our guys — we need to get back to defending on a high level and move the ball and play for each other.”

The message resonated. Toronto opened the fourth quarter with a decisive 17-6 run, marked by the ejection of Pelicans coach Willie Green for arguing a call. Scottie Barnes capitalized on the technical foul with free throws, restoring the Raptors’ double-digit lead. From there, the team maintained control to secure the win, improving their record to 14-32. Meanwhile, the Pelicans fell to 12-35, dropping their third straight game.

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The victory was another example of Toronto’s recent defensive resurgence, a cornerstone of their improved form. Over their last seven games, the Raptors have allowed more than 104 points only twice, demonstrating their ability to stifle opponents. Against New Orleans, the defense limited the Pelicans to just 21.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 43.9 percent overall from the field. The game’s decisive moment came early in the fourth quarter, with the Raptors holding the Pelicans to just four points in the first four-plus minutes.

Rajakovic credited the turnaround to the team’s collective effort. “I’ve been coaching for 28, 29 years, and I still haven’t found a defensive scheme that works when four players are locked in, and one isn’t giving full effort,” he said. “That was happening to us earlier this season. Now, we have all the guys locked in.”

Scottie Barnes continued to shine, earning a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double with eight assists. Earlier in the day, Barnes had been anointed Eastern Conference Player of the Week, and his performance against New Orleans further solidified his growing reputation. Starting center Jakob Poeltl also contributed a significant double-double, recording 21 points and 14 rebounds. Rajakovic praised Poeltl’s leadership on the court, calling him the team’s “connector.” Poeltl explained, “You have a game plan, but sometimes that stuff just goes out the window, and you must make something up on the fly. In those situations, it’s important to communicate and get everybody on the same page.”

The Pelicans, missing star scorer Brandon Ingram due to an ankle injury sustained in December, struggled to keep pace offensively. Despite the absence of a key player, New Orleans remains in the bottom third of the league in offensive rankings, further compounding their challenges. Raptors forward Chris Boucher, who added 14 points off the bench, noted that the team’s defensive improvement stems from a shared sense of accountability. “I think whoever’s in front of us, everybody’s taking pride in guarding them, and we’re playing together,” Boucher said. “If there’s a switch and somebody’s smaller, you’ve got to hit them out. We’re moving on a string.”

The Raptors’ recent success starkly contrasts their earlier struggles this season, including a stretch of 16 losses in 17 games. Although their current form might be seen as a temporary uptick, Rajakovic views it as an encouraging sign of progress. “We’re trying to do something that I believe is going to bring us results in the long run,” he said. “But I also know it won’t happen overnight and will demand a lot of work. I think we have great buy-in from our players. They own it, and they’re playing hard.”

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The game also had a star-studded presence courtside. Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair, the all-time leading international goal scorer, was in attendance wearing a sweatshirt featuring the logo of the Toronto Tempo, the city’s incoming WNBA expansion team. The Scotiabank Arena crowd gave Sinclair a standing ovation. Fellow soccer star Dwayne De Rosario was also present, marking the countdown to Canada hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canadian Olympic gymnast Ellie Black was also spotted courtside, adding to the evening’s star-studded atmosphere.

For the Raptors, the win serves as both a morale booster and a testament to the value of defensive cohesion. While their place in the standings leaves them on the outside looking in at the play-in tournament, the team’s recent form offers a glimmer of hope for a promising future.