Toronto Raptors (41-32) beat New Orleans Pelicans (25-50) 119-106 at home on Friday, March 27, never trailing at a quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Raptors had the better start, winning the first 29-25 to lead by 4 after one. The Raptors kept the pressure on with a 30-19 second quarter, carrying a 15-point lead into halftime.
The teams matched each other with 31 points apiece in the third quarter, so the Raptors remained ahead by 15 entering the fourth. The Pelicans took the fourth 31-29; the Raptors held on for a 119-106 regulation win.
What decided it
The Raptors got more from their shots, finishing at 57% effective field-goal shooting compared with 45.7% for the Pelicans. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Pelicans did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 22.6 against 14. The Raptors made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 102 possessions per team, the Raptors produced 117.3 points per 100 possessions to 104.5 for the Pelicans.
The Pelicans' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 41-29.
Who made the difference
Scottie Barnes was the game's biggest individual force for TOR: 23 pts, 6 reb, 12 ast, 3 blk on 10-14 shooting. His Game Score of 26.7 led everyone. His team was +16 with him on the floor.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast on 9-13 shooting, good for a 19 Game Score.
Scottie Barnes (23 pts, 6 reb, 12 ast) and Jakob Poeltl (18 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Raptors about a 74% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Toronto Raptors lead 2-1.
The Raptors are now 41-32, and the Pelicans are 25-50. The Raptors last five before this game: W-L-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.