Recap
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Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Pelicans trade runs at Smoothie King Center

The Toronto Raptors left New Orleans at 36-30 after a 122-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, who moved to 23-45, at 8:00 PM EDT.


TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 23: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors dunks against the Utah Jazz during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 23, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

First quarter


The Toronto Raptors opened with 30 points in the first quarter while the New Orleans Pelicans scored 29.


The Raptors hit 26 fast-break points in the game on 60 percent finishing, and that early pace helped keep the score tight.


The Pels ended the night with 62 total rebounds, a number that started to show up on second looks even before halftime.


Second quarter


The Raptors added 28 points in the second quarter, and Immanuel Quickley set an early scoring tone by finishing with 25 points on 57 percent shooting.


The Pelicans answered with 31 points in the second quarter while producing 27 assists on the night, which kept their half-court offense connected.


Brandon Ingram posted 22 points with 5 assists, and his 4 steals helped the Raptors turn defense into 24 points off turnovers.


This Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans match summary also pivoted on New Orleans shooting 48 percent from 3-point range as a team.


Third quarter


The Raptors scored 25 points in the third quarter, but the Pelicans countered with 33 in the same quarter to stretch the margin.


New Orleans finished at 51 percent from the field, and that efficiency matched the quarter where its biggest lead reached 18.


Scottie Barnes ended with 3 steals as part of Toronto’s 13-steal night, but the Raptors also committed 11 total turnovers.


Fourth quarter


The Raptors put up 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the bench contributed 31 points to support the push.


The Pelicans scored 29 points in the fourth quarter and closed with 14 made 3-pointers on 29 attempts, a key detail in a Toronto Raptors vs New Orleans Pelicans scoreline review.


Jakob Poeltl recorded 3 blocks, and Toronto finished with 5 blocks, but New Orleans still totaled 46 points in the paint.


What went wrong for Toronto Raptors showed up in the rebounding gap, with the Raptors at 48 total rebounds versus 62 for New Orleans, and that shaped the Toronto Raptors match rating conversation after the buzzer.


The Raptors are scheduled to host the Phoenix Suns at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on 3/13/2026 at 7:30 PM EDT, with viewing available on AZFamily, Suns+, and TSN.


Run back for the next recap, and share this article with Raptors fans tracking the North.

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