The Toronto Raptors are on a roll!
The Raptors held on to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 105-101 at Scotiabank Arena, extending their win streak to six games.
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Fred VanVleet continues to make his case for an All-Star berth, with a game-high 32 points, while Pascal Siakam added 29 points.
With the win — their fifth straight at home — the Raptors move 3.0 games above .500 for the first time since November 3.
Here are some thoughts at the buzzer.
VanVleet too clutch
Fred VanVleet continues to be the Raptors leading man during the win streak, dropping another All-Star worthy performance tonight. He led the way with 32 points, knocking down 8-of-17 from the 3-point line, setting the tone from the jump.
He scored 13 of the Raptors' 27 points in the opening quarter and after cooling off through the middle two periods, he delivered down the stretch, burying four 3s in the final 12 minutes.
VanVleet finished with 12 points in the fourth quarter including two huge 3-pointers down the stretch. One to tie things up and another to give the Raptors the lead with 1:32 to play.
Go off then 👏 @FredVanVleet #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/FQvaDqbCR6
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2022
"When you're really playing well they say the game slows down for you and I think he's seeing things really clearly right now," head coach Nick Nurse said of VanvVeet.
Siakam stays hot
It's no coincidence that the Raptors streak has coincided with Pascal Siakam's return to form.
Tonight, he stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, aggressively looking for his own shot and making quick decisions in the post that led to a ton of easy looks.
Getting out in transition and taking it right into the defence. Things you love to see.
LET'S GOOO! 😤 #PascalSiakam | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/Bs43Tkx8qV
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 9, 2022
His aggressive play saw him get to the line consistently, going 10-of-10 at the charity stripe — matching his season-high for makes.
Across the past six games, he is averaging 23.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists on 48.6 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from the 3-point line.
Welcome back JV
Former Raptor Jonas Valanciunas was back in the building, albeit without fans in the stands, but the Lithuanian kept the Pelicans in the game with his 27th double-double of the season. Only Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokic have more this season.
JV recorded 20 points and 17 rebounds on an efficient 7-of-12 from the field.
There wasn't much rookie Scottie Barnes could do in the post here:
beautiful move @JValanciunas #JonasValanciunas | #NBAAllStar
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 9, 2022
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/FztjluhhQ4
With Khem Birch picking up some early foul trouble, Nick Nurse went with a combination of Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa against Valanciunas, who did a good job contesting the glass and with the Raptors consistently sending double teams his way, they managed to limit his impact on the offence to some degree.
On the other end, they crashed the offensive glass (15-7) and outrebounded the Pels 46-35, led by Siakam's 10 boards, Achiuwa (nine rebounds) and Boucher (eight rebounds).
Anunoby on ya' head!
OG Anunoby had a quieter game by his standards, but this moment was loud!
Off the missed 3-pointer from Siakam, no one on the Pelicans boxed out Anunoby, who soared in for the emphatic putback jam!
.@OAnunoby OH MY #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/VdxA2wr3Pw
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 10, 2022
What's next?
The Raptors look to extend their win streak to seven games, facing a tough test against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
See you then.
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