Barnes and Toronto's Depth Head to Washington After Kawhi's…

By the Raptors Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 22

Toronto beat Chicago 135-92 without a single lead change and led by as many as 48, on a night Kawhi Leonard never found his jumper. The question now is whether a team that won without his shooting can carry that into Washington on Friday.

Scottie Barnes of the Raptors — Scottie Barnes. Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Help Arrived Early

Leonard shot 5 of 17 in 24 minutes, yet Chicago was already beaten after a 43-23 first quarter. Barnes matched Leonard's 23 points and added five assists, and Barrett scored 20 on 8-of-14 shooting. Ja'Kobe Walter had 10 points and three steals off the bench, and Jamison Battle hit both of his threes. TSN's Josh Lewenberg pointed out that the 2019 team didn't lean on Leonard in the regular season either. He also praised Collin Murray-Boyles's defense and rebounding despite 2-of-7 shooting. Lewenberg reported that rookie Allen Graves, in his NBA debut, got the game ball.

A Softer Test in D.C.

Brian Keefe's Wizards are 1-0, but last season they went 17-65 with a 121.5 defensive rating and a 102.5 pace, quicker than Toronto's 99.2. Alex Sarr scored 16.3 a night and Kyshawn George 14.8, and Anthony Davis averaged 20.4 points and 11.1 boards in 20 games. Tristan Vukcevic and Jamir Watkins are out, and AJ Dybantsa's left ankle makes him a game-time question. After Washington, Toronto plays at Minnesota on Sunday on NBA TV, then hosts Orlando twice. The second of those games, October 30, counts for the Emirates NBA Cup.

Eleven Trips, No Misses

The number is 11: Leonard went 11 of 11 from the line, which is how a cold shooting night still produced 23 points. Lewenberg counted 20 Toronto free-throw attempts in the third quarter alone. Sportsnet and The Athletic both carried Leonard's own words: "You can't rush greatness." The open question is how Darko Rajakovic spreads Leonard's minutes over road games on Friday and Sunday. Nate Bittle, out because of a right foot issue, is targeting October 28 to return, so the frontcourt stays thin until the Magic arrive.

When do the Raptors play the Wizards?

Friday, October 23, in Washington. Toronto then plays at Minnesota on Sunday, October 25.

Will Nate Bittle play against Washington?

No. He is out because of a right foot issue and is targeting a return on October 28 against Orlando.

By the Raptors Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.