From this point forward, the Toronto Raptors will face an even more challenging stretch.
On December 13, the Toronto Raptors would face the Miami Heat on the road, marking their first game since losing Scottie Barnes to a right ankle injury earlier in the week.
While losing Barnes isn't the end of the world, his presence was crucial in restoring the Raptors' positive energy. The Raptors aimed to advance with their schedule, seeking to leave the Kaseya Center with a victory. However, they were ultimately outmatched by the more resilient Heat squad.
The Miami Heat secured their fourth consecutive victory, triumphing over the Toronto Raptors with a final score of 114-104, thanks to dominant performances from their star duo, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
On the flip side, even in defeat, the Raptors could take pride in having five players score in double figures. Gradey Dick led the way with 22 points, while Jakob Poeltl contributed 16 points. Davion Mitchell added 12 points with impressive efficiency, and Ochai Agbaji proved valuable by scoring 13 points of his own.
However, it is the performance of the Raptors' Canadian standout, RJ Barrett, that deserves the most attention. Barrett would record his second career triple-double against the Miami Heat, with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and ten assists.
Simply reading that RJ Barrett secured a triple-double might lead you to believe he had an outstanding game. While he certainly demonstrated notable hustle and unselfishness, his shooting splits during the performance were far from impressive.
Barrett endured a rough night at the office, shooting just 27% from the field, finishing 5-for-18 overall and 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. In total, he posted a true shooting percentage of 34.4% and experienced difficulties with six turnovers. Surprisingly, despite the lackluster efficiency, Barrett ended up with a +4 plus/minus.
One could certainly argue that RJ Barrett's triple-double performance on December 12 ranks among the worst in recent NBA history, if not the most underwhelming in the history of the Raptors franchise.
RJ Barrett struggled in Miami, despite the triple-double
RJ Barrett recorded his 2nd career triple-double tonight, becoming the 8th player with multiple career triple-doubles in franchise history.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) December 13, 2024
His 34.4 TS% is the worst in a triple-double by a Raptor since Ben Uzoh in April 2012 & 2nd worst in franchise history.
Be that as it may, it wouldn't be fair to criticize Barrett for his poor shooting night; every player experiences highs and lows, and he is certainly no stranger to this pattern. Rather, the performance offers a glimpse into how much Toronto will depend on RJ Barrett in the absence of their star, Scottie Barnes.
That duo can be truly exceptional together, enhancing one another's skill sets to uplift both themselves and their castmates. But even in the case of Scottie Barnes, one singular player cannot do it all.
RJ Barrett in 11 games with Scottie Barnes this season:
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) December 12, 2024
23.8 PTS, 6.7 REB, 4.8 AST, 59.2 TS%
RJ Barrett in 11 games without Scottie Barnes this season:
23.5 PTS, 6.6 REB, 6.8 AST, 51.7 TS%
On this night against Miami, RJ Barrett embraced his leadership role; however, opposing defenses are likely to focus on him in the upcoming stretches as Toronto devises its strategies around the "Maple Mamba". To address this issue, there are numerous players on the Raptors roster who must seize the opportunity presented by Scottie Barnes' absence to help elevate the team and rise to the occasion.
Nevertheless, this is where Toronto can truly see how RJ Barrett rises to the occasion and handles adversity. He is undoubtedly a mentally strong athlete capable of delivering star-making performances. The challenge lies in refining the nuances of his game and demonstrating that he can be a winning player.