Coming out of a much-needed All-Star break and fresh off earning his second NBA All-Star nod, Raptors Nation was definitely excited to see Brandon Ingram step up in a big way for Toronto. His explosive scoring surge helped drive the Raptors to a 110-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls on February 19.
Ingram led the team with 31 points on 42.3 percent shooting (11-for-26 overall) and 60 percent from three (going 3-for-5). He also added eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. This was his eighth game with the Raptors scoring more than 30 points and his second straight game against Chicago to surpass that mark — Ingram had 33 against the Bulls on February 5.
Brandon Ingram shines vs. Chicago, while rest of Raptors' offense stagnates
The Raptors' defense was undeniable. They were relentless on the Chicago Bulls and made it a tough night for them all around. Hats off to Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead, and Ja'Kobe Walter — who might be my second star of the night against the Bulls — for sparking the team in that department. Even relatively modest defenders like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley had their moments too.
But while their defense was smoking Chicago, the overall Raptors' offense was pretty lackluster and dull all things considered.
Scottie Barnes struggled to find his rhythm, finishing 5-for-14 from the field for just 35.7 percent. RJ Barrett also had a tough night, going 3-for-10 for 30 percent. Immanuel Quickley scored 14 points on somewhat decent efficiency at 41.7 percent, but going 0-for-4 from three is far from ideal when he's counted on as one of Toronto’s most reliable shooters.
The first quarter was particularly ugly. Outside of Brandon Ingram’s solid 4-for-8 shooting performance, the rest of the team struggled. Scottie B. was just 1-for-4, Barrett went 1-for-5, and Quickley also shot only 1-for-5. Shooting woes happen, I totally get that, but this is your main core. They’re gunning for a playoff spot and are likely the key players to lead the Raptors’ nucleus for the foreseeable future — though the future of Barrett is still up in the air.
Then in the fourth quarter, thanks to BI’s offensive output throughout the game and Toronto’s effort to maintain their defensive intensity, they managed to come out on top. But that final stretch was another relatively ugly affair. Ingram was 1-for-3, Barnes went 0-for-2 with three turnovers, Barrett also 0-for-2, Ja’Kobe Walter shot 1-for-4, and Shead went 1-for-3. As a team, Toronto shot just 31.6 percent from the field.
Thankfully, Chicago wasn't particularly incredible in the fourth either, going 8-for-21 from the field (38.1 percent). So really, it was a test of what the Raptors’ defense could do to contain the opposition, because both teams were just struggling to find their rhythm.
I'm really glad Toronto has Brandon Ingram on their side because no matter how promising this team looks with its defense-first mentality, offense is just as important for winning games. Honestly, I’m not sure Toronto would be in the comfortable spot they’re in right now if they hadn't added the "Notorious B.I.3." And it definitely makes sense since the BI addition was driven by this exact need — a reliable scorer and a consistent offensive weapon. But Brandon Ingram is still just one piece of the puzzle.
His co-stars like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley can also be explosive offensive contributors, but they’ll need to tap into that gear more consistently for this Raptors squad. Scottie Barnes already has a lot on his plate as the anchor of this Raptors defense, but that doesn't mean he can afford long stretches of rough shooting nights either. He's a proven All-Star who can also put up 20 or more points in a game.
Toronto won't always have the luxury of an 'easy' foe like Chicago on the opposite side. Likewise, they can't all be a Brandon Ingram masterclass. The Raptors face some tough matchups coming up against the OKC Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, and Timberwolves — teams that can eat them alive with their mix of size, defense, and dependable shooters. Figuring out how to maximize this Raptors offense will be crucial in determining how this final stretch of the season turns out for Toronto.