TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors halted their four-game skid with a stellar offensive performance, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 135-128 on Wednesday night. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 33 points, while Scottie Barnes contributed a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
O.G. Anunoby added 22 points, playing a crucial role in the first of a two-game series at home against the Hawks. Dennis Schroder, a former Hawks guard, achieved a personal milestone by eclipsing 10,000 career points with his 17-point contribution. Jakob Poeltl was also instrumental, scoring 15 points and tying his season-high with 13 rebounds.
The Raptors’ strategy focused on exploiting Atlanta’s defensive vulnerabilities, as noted by Poeltl. Their proficiency from the three-point line was particularly notable, with the team hitting 18 of 34 attempts. Siakam matched his season high with five 3-pointers, while Gary Trent Jr. added four, underscoring Toronto’s outside shooting strength.
Despite the high score, Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged his team’s defensive efforts while recognizing the challenges posed by the Raptors’ offense.
Trae Young was the standout for Atlanta, scoring 35 points and matching his season high with 17 assists. However, his remarkable performance wasn’t enough to prevent the Hawks from sliding into their worst losing streak of the season, now extended to five games. Bogdan Bogdanovic, coming off a career-high 40-point game, added 20 against Toronto, with 10 in the crucial fourth quarter. Dejounte Murray also contributed 20 points for the Hawks, with Onyeka Okongwu adding 13.
Okongwu emphasized the length of the season and the opportunity for the Hawks to turn their fortunes around.
The Raptors showed their offensive prowess right from the start, with Siakam scoring 14 points in the first quarter and adding 10 more in the second. Despite this, the Hawks held a slim lead at halftime with a score of 66-64.
Toronto’s decisive moment came in the third quarter, where they outscored Atlanta 39-29. The Raptors’ impressive shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, helped them build a 103-95 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Coach Snyder highlighted the dilemma of defending against a team with strong inside and outside scoring threats.
The Hawks were without Jalen Johnson due to a fractured left wrist and De’Andre Hunter because of a right knee issue.
The teams are set for a rematch on Friday night in Toronto, giving the Hawks a chance to seek redemption and the Raptors an opportunity to build on their momentum.
