Jakob Poeltl had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Scottie Barnes had 21 points and 11 boards, and the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on Monday night for their first four-game winning streak in almost two years.

I feel like I’m a great defender. I feel like it doesn’t really get talked about enough but I feel like I’m a great defender. I guard whoever, can play one through

In some ways, comparing Scottie Barnes and Zion Williamson is like a basketball philosophy test. As the two squared off Monday, Barnes showed why the Raptors feel their star is only getting better.

The Toronto Raptors All-Star forward went on a bit of a road trip over the weekend to check out some NFL playoff action.

Scottie Barnes has always been able to do special things on the defensive end of the basketball court. Before he was zipping no-look passes across the floor, mastering the mid-range or posting triple-doubles,

Barnes put up 24 points (8-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 12 boards, seven assists, two steals and two blocks across 32 minutes in the 117-94 win over the Hawks on Saturday.

The Eastern Conference player of the week averaged 22 points, 9.7 rebounds and six assists in three victories.

Scottie Barnes had 17 points and 11 rebounds, RJ Barrett scored 19 points and the Toronto Raptors overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the struggling Orlando Magic 109-93.

Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson plans to have shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the season, a major blow to the struggling Hawks’ efforts to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes earned league honors for the Player of the Week in the Eastern Conference

Scottie Barnes scored 24 points and the Toronto Raptors beat NBA-worst Washington 106-82 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory and the Wizards’ 15th loss in a row