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.

On Wednesday night, the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans by a score of 137-136. Kyrie Irving finished the win with 25 points, nine rebounds, six

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.

In the game within the game, Scottie Barnes and Zion Williamson would often get matched up against each other Monday night as the host Raptors were looking to keep the good times rolling. The mano a mano matchup was both compelling and competitive.

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.

New Orleans arrives without Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones, and that leaves the visitors vulnerable on the perimeter. They gave up 123 points to the Hornets at the weekend, on the heels of getting torched for 139 points by the Grizzlies on Friday — so Barnes should have ample chances to flash his playmaking skills.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the net past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 27 ...

TORONTO (AP) — Jakob Poeltl had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Scottie Barnes had 21 points ... included a home victory over the Pelicans. Zion Williamson scored 31 points and CJ McCollum had ...

Let me make this clear to everybody out there. If I could play in the back-to-backs, I would. Physically? Yes, I can. But I work for

Toronto reportedly is interested in Brandon Ingram but his New Orleans Pelicans teammate might be an even more juicy target.

There haven’t been many opponents the Toronto Raptors could bully and kick sand in the face of this season, but the Washington Wizards fit the bill. By far the NBA’s worst team Washington was comically bad at home early on Wednesday night,

Gilgeous-Alexander logged the second 50-point effort of his career. He put up 54 in a home win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 22. Gilgeous-Alexander, who singlehandedly outscored the Warriors in the first quarter with a 21-point performance, finished 16-for-29 from the field. He padded his point total with an 18-for-21 night at the free-throw line.