Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone is used to watching excellence game in and game out.
Nikola Jokic is a two-time MVP and continues to play at a ridiculously high level.
Jokic was brilliant in the win over the Raptors putting up 31 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists.
Scottie Barnes did his best to match the sheer dominance of Jokic as he put up an impressive statline of his own.
Barnes finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists as he continues to be the lone bright spot for this Raptors team.
Malone took note of Barnes’ performance and had nothing but high praise for him, via reporters post-game:
“Scottie Barnes is a hell of a player. He was just putting his head down. Putting a lot of pressure on our defense in transition, make, miss, turnover.”
Barnes has been playing at a high-level and most people are starting to take notice. He does things on the basketball court that are simply remarkable.
During the game against the Nuggets, Barnes did his best Jokic impression when he threw a left-handed pass the length of the court to find Pascal Siakam for an easy layup:
RIDICULOUS stuff from Scottie.
Nabs the rebound, off-hand pass from 60 feet out to Pascal — wow pic.twitter.com/G2RPfoJb6X
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) December 21, 2023
Even though the Raptors season hasn’t gone to plan, it’s been fun watching the constant develop of Barnes who has turned into the pillar of this Raptors franchise.
Next up for Raptors
The Toronto Raptors will travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers for the third time this season. The 76ers have dominated the Raptors in the first two matchups and lead the season series 2-0.
Let’s see if the Raptors can finally get a win against their former coach Nick Nurse.
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