RJ Barrett led the way with 20 points, while Jakob Poeltl contributed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors secured a 115-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, marking their eighth win in their last 10 games.
Gradey Dick provided a spark off the bench with 18 points, while Scottie Barnes added 15 as the Raptors ended a five-game losing streak against the Clippers.
Toronto had a well-balanced offensive effort, with seven players reaching double figures. Ochai Agbaji scored 12, Immanuel Quickley chipped in 11, and Ja’Kobe Walter finished with 10.
James Harden paced the Clippers with 25 points, while Ivica Zubac added 18. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 17, and Kawhi Leonard finished with 14 in the loss, which snapped a two-game winning streak for Los Angeles.
Harden struggled with his shot, finishing 7-of-20 from the field and just 2-of-9 from three-point range, though he made all nine free-throw attempts.
Before tipoff, some fans expressed their displeasure by booing during the American national anthem, a reaction that had also been seen at NHL games in Canada the night before.
Takeaways
Clippers: Harden had a tough third quarter, shooting just 1-for-7 and missing all four of his three-point attempts. As a team, the Clippers shot 7-for-25 in the period, including 2-for-10 from beyond the arc.
Raptors: Toronto improved to just 2-9 in games where Immanuel Quickley has played this season. The guard recently returned on Friday after missing eight games due to a left hip injury.
Key Moment
With 6:48 left in the third quarter, Poeltl’s powerful dunk ignited a 12-2 Raptors run, forcing a Clippers timeout. Toronto dominated the rest of the quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 24-10 to take a commanding 92-77 lead heading into the fourth.
Key Stat
Toronto thrived in transition, converting 8-of-9 fast-break opportunities in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 17-2 on the break.
Up Next
Both teams return to action Tuesday night. The Raptors will host the New York Knicks, while the Clippers will face the Los Angeles Lakers in a cross-town matchup.
