admin RJ Barrett is making home court advantage truly his own, delivering standout performances whenever the Toronto Raptors play at Scotiabank Arena.
Hailing from nearby Mississauga, Ontario, Barrett led all scorers with an impressive 37 points in the Raptors’ 119-116 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday. It marked his third consecutive game scoring over 30 points in Toronto and the fifth time in seven home games this season.
“Let’s be fair—I had two solid games on the road too,” joked Barrett, referring to his 22 points in Toronto’s 119-103 win in New Orleans last Wednesday and 25 points in their 121-111 loss at Miami on Friday. “I’ve just been trying to focus a bit more lately.”
Barrett missed the season’s first three games due to a pre-season shoulder sprain, returning on October 28 in a 127-125 overtime loss to Denver in Toronto. Since his return, Barrett has displayed a stark contrast in form between home and away games. Over 11 road games, he’s averaged 19.4 points, 6.5 assists, and six rebounds, compared to 30.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across seven home appearances.
Overall, Barrett is averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists this season, but his dominance in Toronto has been a key driver for the Raptors, who secured their sixth win of the season against Miami.
This homestand—potentially spanning five or six games—offers the Raptors a valuable opportunity to build momentum. Toronto’s lacklustre 1-11 road record contrasts sharply with their success at Scotiabank Arena, where they’ve earned five of their six victories.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic jokingly credits Barrett’s consistency at home to his love for “Canadian language and Canadian food,” but the star forward points to Toronto’s passionate fanbase as a major factor.
“Our fans are incredible. They lift us up whenever we’re on a run or even when things aren’t going our way,” said Barrett. “But we can’t get complacent. Tonight was a good win, but it’s straight back to work for Indiana on Tuesday.”
As the Raptors continue their homestand, Barrett’s impressive home form will be vital in turning their season around.
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