RJ Barrett is placing the cooking in residence cooking, dominating play every time his Toronto Raptors play at Scotiabank Area.
Barrett, from neighbouring Mississauga, led all scorers with 37 factors because the Raptors beat the Miami Warmth 119-116 on Sunday. It was the third straight sport the 24-year-old has had greater than 30 factors when enjoying in Toronto, and fifth time in seven residence video games this season.
“Be real. I had two good games just now on the road. Don’t do me like that,” joked Barrett, pointing to his 22-point efficiency in Toronto’s 119-103 victory in New Orleans final Wednesday and his 25 factors in a 121-111 loss at Miami on Friday.
“No, I’ve just been trying to concentrate a little more. Put a little more focus into it.”
Barrett missed the primary three video games of the season after spraining his shoulder within the pre-season. He returned to the lineup Oct. 28 in a 127-125 additional time loss to Denver in Toronto.
Since his return, Barrett’s been two completely different gamers at residence and away. He’s averaged 19.4 factors, 6.5 assists and 6 rebounds over 11 highway video games, however has averaged 30.4 factors, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over seven video games in Toronto.
Within the season up to now, he’s averaged 23.7 factors, 6.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists.
These splits are promising for the Raptors because the win over Miami was the primary sport of a prolonged homestand that may both be 5 or 6 video games, relying on when the NBA decides to assign Toronto two new regular-season video games after lacking the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup in-season match.
“It’s good but you can’t get comfortable, can’t get complacent,” mentioned Barrett. “It was a good win tonight, but we’ve got to go back again tomorrow and get ready for Indiana (on Tuesday).”
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has his personal idea as to why Barrett’s been so dependable north of the border.
“I think he likes Canadian language and Canadian food, and he’s really enjoying it here,” laughed Rajakovic.
It’s not simply Barrett who’s thriving at residence.
The Raptors (6-15) have earned all however certainly one of their wins at Scotiabank Area, with the one victory of their 1-11 highway report the current win in New Orleans. Barrett mentioned that’s a product of being on a younger group.
“We have such amazing fans (in Toronto), so they really pick us up,” mentioned Barrett. “At any time when we go on a run, it’s every part. Even once we’re down, they’re nonetheless there to choose us up.
“On the road, you’re going against the other team’s crowd and the other team feeling. You just have to bring your own energy and focus.”
Barrett and all-star Scottie Barnes have been particularly efficient in Sunday’s fourth quarter. Barrett had six factors, three rebounds and two assists within the interval, whereas Barnes had eight factors, 4 rebounds and an help.
“I want those guys to be really aggressive,” mentioned Rajakovic. “I would like them to be aggressive to attain, aggressive to create, and when you’re doing that, then to make the proper selections.
“You cannot be passive and make right decisions.”
Barrett agreed.
“I think the fourth quarter brings a different sort of intensity,” he mentioned. “Understanding that, I believe, it’s an enormous factor.
“Definitely the start of the game, end of the game, beginning of the third, those are moments where you really have to play with force.”
