The Toronto Raptors were back in action Monday night in Miami, and after nearly a week off, they looked refreshed, recharged, and ready to grind. Facing a Heat team that, like them, is expected to be in the thick of the Eastern Conference’s playoff or play-in mix, the Raptors showed up with energy-and just enough execution-to pull out a hard-fought win.
This one had all the makings of a December dogfight: two teams trying to get back on track after early exits from the NBA In-Season Tournament, both riding four-game losing streaks, and both coming in with fresher legs than usual. The result? A game that went down to the wire, with Scottie Barnes stepping up in the clutch on both ends of the floor to help seal a much-needed victory.
Rest Does a Team Good
Let’s start with the obvious: rest matters. After not playing since last Tuesday, both teams came in with a noticeable bounce.
The pace was sharp, the ball movement cleaner, and the defensive rotations tighter-at least early on. For the Raptors, that extra time off seemed to do wonders for Jakob Poeltl, who’s been battling back soreness lately.
He moved with more ease, looked less grounded, and gave Toronto solid minutes in the paint.
Scottie Barnes looked like a player who had hit the reset button, too-more on him in a minute-but he wasn’t alone. On the Miami side, Brandon Ingram (who’s had a heavy workload after missing most of last season) also benefited from the break, showing more spring in his step and more lift on his jumper.
That time off also gave both teams a chance to regroup mentally after being bounced from the NBA Cup quarterfinals. Motivation wasn’t an issue here. Both squads came out with something to prove.
The Norman Powell What-If
It’s hard to talk about this game without revisiting one of the more debated trade decisions in recent Raptors history. Norman Powell, once a key piece of Toronto’s title-winning depth, has continued to grow into a high-level scorer-and he reminded his old team exactly what they gave up.
Powell came into the night leading the Heat in scoring at 24.6 points per game, and he looked every bit the part. He torched the Raptors in the second quarter, scoring eight straight points during one stretch and showing off the kind of shot-making that’s made him one of the league’s most efficient scorers. He’s shooting 50% from the field and a blistering 43.6% from three this season, and there’s no sign of him slowing down.
The Raptors originally acquired Powell in a deal that turned out to be one of Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s better moves. It was part of a package that also brought in OG Anunoby and the cap space to sign Cory Joseph-pieces that helped build the “We The North” identity.
But when Powell was traded to Portland for Gary Trent Jr., the gamble was that Trent’s youth and upside would eventually match or exceed Powell’s production. That hasn’t quite panned out. While Trent has had his moments, Powell has continued to ascend, earning All-Star consideration last season with the Clippers before being moved to Miami, where he’s taken another leap.
Scottie Barnes Closes the Door
Back to the game itself-this one came down to the final moments, and it was Scottie Barnes who put his fingerprints all over the finish. Whether it was a key defensive stop, a timely bucket, or a smart read, Barnes played like a star who knew the game was his to take. He’s been evolving into that kind of player all season, and Monday night was another step in that direction.
The Raptors didn’t play a perfect game, but they played a composed one. They bent, but didn’t break. And when it mattered most, they had Barnes leading the way with poise and presence.
Final Word
This win won’t make headlines across the league, but it matters. For a Raptors team trying to find consistency and confidence, especially on the road, this was a performance to build on. They beat a fellow playoff hopeful, survived a vintage Norman Powell scoring burst, and leaned on their young star to close it out.
That’s the kind of formula they’ll need more of as the season grinds on.