RJ Barrett becomes a different player at Scotiabank Arena.
The 24-year-old continued his tear at home, putting up an impressive 37 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists on 15-for-20 shooting from the field, helping the Raptors beat the Miami Heat.
Barrett is averaging 30.4 points at home this season, which is third most in the NBA.
“I just been trying to concentrate a little more, I guess. Put a little more focus into it,” Barrett told reporters when asked about his increased production at home.
Barrett has averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 assists and 6 rebounds over 11 road games, but has averaged 30.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over 7 games in Toronto. For the season, he’s averaged 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists.
Barrett credits his ability to get downhill to the basket and making smart decisions from there.
“Like Darko [Rajakovic] said go in with force, the ability to get there and trying to make the right plays when you’re down there because what I think will help your field goal percentages, not going in there and taking stupid shots,” he said.
Against the Heat, Barrett was in the zone. He scored 13 points in his first 10 minutes and continued from there. He even clinched the win for Toronto when he drove inside and scored over Jimmy Butler to put the Raptors up 6 with 2 minutes left in the game.
This season Barrett’s shooing 45.7 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from three. The only knock on Barrett to this point is his poor free throw shooting. He’s only shooting 69.2 percent from the charity stripe and is a career 70.9 percent free throw shooter.
With the Raptors hampered with injuries, Barrett has been the consistent player for the Raptors who has stepped up. If Barrett can continue this type of pace and brings that same consistent effort on the road, he could be in line for his first All-Star season.
Ja’Kobe Walter continues to shine for Raptors
Ja’Kobe Walter has burst onto the scene for the Toronto Raptors.
Walter was with Raptors 905, but got called up when Gradey Dick suffered a calf strain and has made the most out of the opportunity since.
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