The Toronto Raptors are making their push for the playoffs, and things are starting to heat up. Brandon Ingram was on fire, dropping 34 points to lead the Raptors to a 119-108 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
This win marks their second consecutive triumph, following a solid 122-115 win against the Phoenix Suns just two days earlier. Ingram, who has racked up an impressive 70 points over these two games, believes the Raptors are hitting their stride at just the right moment.
“It’s that time when things start clicking both defensively and offensively,” Ingram noted, reflecting on the team’s recent struggles. “We had a rough patch, but we’ve found our groove.
Our communication on the floor has improved, and we’re sticking together even when we’re down. It’s all about building.”
The victory against Phoenix was a significant milestone, as it was Toronto’s first win over a team with a winning record since defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder back in January. The Raptors’ recent success has improved their record against the NBA’s top teams to 4-19, a sign of progress that Ingram hopes will silence some of the critics.
“Outside noise is just that-noise,” Ingram said confidently. “We’re focused on fighting and being our best every game. We’ll live with the results.”
With these back-to-back wins, the Raptors (38-29) have climbed back to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, moving ahead of the Miami Heat. Beating the top-seeded Pistons was a statement, putting Toronto just half a game ahead of Miami.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic emphasized the importance of setting the tone with physical play, regardless of the opponent. “I have the utmost respect for Detroit; they’re a championship-caliber team. But we need to establish our own rhythm on the court.”
Key to Toronto’s recent resurgence is the health of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl. Barrett, hailing from Mississauga, Ontario, contributed 27 points and six rebounds against Detroit. Poeltl, alongside Scottie Barnes, delivered double-doubles, with Poeltl scoring 21 points and snagging a season-high 18 rebounds, while Barnes added 14 points and 10 boards.
“My body felt fresh today,” Poeltl shared, acknowledging the ups and downs of a long season. “Some days are just better than others.”
Barrett, who missed 15 games due to a knee injury, is now ready to make a defensive impact. Coach Rajakovic is optimistic about Barrett’s potential.
“He has all the physical tools to guard anyone from one to four in the league. It’s about having the grit and mindset to do it consistently.
Lately, he’s been showing that, and it’s making a big difference for us.”
With their eyes set on the playoffs, the Raptors are finding their rhythm at a crucial time, and fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.