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.

The Rajakovic rant became one of, if not, the defining moment of a completely lost season, which happened to be his rookie year as head coach. It came following a tough loss to the host L.A. Lakers on a night when the whistle was decidedly purple and gold in the decisive fourth quarter.

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.

Before this recent six-in-seven run of wins, and during a period when an injured Barnes missed 35 of 88 games, Toronto's record was 4-31.

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.

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.

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 and the Raptors strode into Capital One Arena in Washington on Wednesday on a four-game winning streak and made it five in dominating fashion, beating the woeful Wizards 10

The Wizards have gone bare bones and are depending on lottery luck to save them. Meanwhile, the Raptors, who have now won five straight, are approaching their own rebuild a little differently. Which track will bear the most fruit?

Toronto hosts Chicago looking to prolong its five-game win streak. The teams match up Friday for the first time this season.