TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors surged past the New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on January 27, 2025, marking their fourth consecutive victory. This win not only showcases their improving performance but also signifies their first four-game winning streak since February 2023. Key players Jakob Poeltl and Scottie Barnes were instrumental in securing this triumph, each contributing 21 points and plenty of rebounding to lead the Raptors.
Both teams entered the game trying to break their current trends; the Raptors, hoping to extend their recent success, and the Pelicans, seeking to halt their losing streak. Poeltl shone bright, finishing the night with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Barnes, whose versatility on the court has been highlighted throughout the season, added 21 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals to his stat line. His standout performance earned him the title of Eastern Conference Player of the Week just hours before the game, according to the AP.
The game started with Toronto establishing control right off the bat, leading 25-20 by the end of the first quarter. The Raptors benefited from solid shooting and significant contributions across the roster, including RJ Barrett with 17 points and Chris Boucher chipping in 14. The team appeared to be rolling, especially after leading by as many as 17 points during the second quarter.
New Orleans, led by their star player Zion Williamson, prevented the game from getting out of hand. Williamson, known for his explosiveness, scored 31 points on 7-for-9 shooting before halftime but struggled to find support from his teammates early on. CJ McCollum, adding 22 points, and Dejounte Murray with 21 points, attempted to rally the Pelicans back from the deficit.
After halftime, the tables turned when the Pelicans came back swinging, outscoring Toronto 35-18 during the third quarter. They managed to flip what was once a comfortable lead for the Raptors to take their first lead of the game at 73-72 near the end of the third quarter. Key plays from Murphy and McCollum helped New Orleans gain momentum. It was evident the game was tightening up as both teams fought for every possession.
The fourth quarter brought more drama to the night, with the Raptors needing to regain control of the game. They began the final period on the front foot, scoring 15 of the first 19 points, re-establishing their lead at 89-79. Unfortunately for New Orleans, their night took another hit when Coach Willie Green was ejected after arguing about officiation, which only added to the Pelicans' struggles. Following his ejection for arguing about a non-call during one of Williamson's drives, Barnes capitalized by sinking both technical free throws, extending Toronto's lead to 91-81.
Throughout the final minutes, the Raptors maintained their edge, with Barnes' layup pushing the lead to 103-89, effectively sealing the deal. Despite New Orleans clawing back temporarily, they couldn't close the gap, trailing as Toronto kept their distance. For New Orleans, the frustration only mounted as they have now lost three straight games, bringing their record to 12-35. Coach Green's ejection came as the team also faced struggles due to injuries, missing key players such as Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones.
Beyond the immediate game outcome, this victory signifies Toronto's improving form and determination after previously losing 17 of their last 20 games. They are now showing resilience, having clinched six victories out of their last seven contests. The Raptors last reached this level of success almost two years ago, underscoring the importance of this performance for the team moving forward.
Following this game, both teams are gearing up for quick turnarounds. New Orleans will host the Dallas Mavericks next, whereas Toronto will visit the Washington Wizards, aiming to continue their winning streak. The Raptors' performance against the Pelicans demonstrates their potential to become competitive this season, putting their early struggles behind them.