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Published Jan 24, 2026 • 4 minute read
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Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Portland, Ore. Photo by Howard Lao /AP Photo
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Regardless of the result of Sunday’s tip in Oklahoma City, the Raptors are assured of a winning road trip, a major step as this edition continues to make inroads.
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The team’s current five-game road trip began Sunday night with a loss to the L.A. Lakers. Three successive wins would follow, including Friday night’s 110-98 win over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
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Oddly enough, Toronto faced its third straight opponent playing the back end of a back-to-back. The inevitable fatigue factor came into play, but it was Toronto’s overall play that stood out on this night.
A total team effort would best describe Toronto’s latest road conquest, a night when the Raptors took control early, responded when the Trail Blazers made their expected run and emerged as the best team in the decisive fourth.
A 3-1 road trip looks very good.
A potential four-win trip, especially against an Oklahoma City Thunder team up next on Sunday, would be the stuff that will inspire even more confidence into a team that is brimming with it.
The following are three takeaways on a night Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick came off the bench to give the Raptors a lift with 10 points apiece, as the visitors won their 15th road game of the season — three more than all of last season.
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GRIN AND BARRETT
RJ Barrett returned to the lineup following a seven-game absence in the wake of an ankle injury.
On the season, he’s missed 23 games, his longest stretch of inactivity caused by a knee injury that sidelined him for 15 games.
With Barrett back in the starting lineup, the Raptors decided not to use their two point-guard look, which has been effective, and decided to go with size, inserting Sandro Mamukelashvili, who surprisingly wound up as the Raptors’ leading scorer with 22 points. Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley each had 20.
While he’s not your traditional big, Mamukelashvili’s ability to spread the floor allows players such as Barrett to drive to the basket.
Barrett had an open look from distance on his first touch, but missed, as did a second three-point look. He was on the bench in the second quarter when the Raptors regained momentum, but made a tip-in came just before the buzzer sounded to end the opening half with Toronto up 50-43.
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The Raptors were very judicious in their management of Barrett, who played 10 minutes in the first half, 11 in the second, and wound up with 10 points, settling for jumpers, though he missed all five of his three-point attempts.
At least he got his feet under him. The Raptors didn’t need him on this night.
TURNOVER-PRONE BARNES
In one of his poorest stretches in weeks, Scottie Barnes was responsible for half of the Raptors’ eight first-half turnovers.
Barnes has been a beast, but he was more of a bust in the opening 24 minutes. He did record three blocks, but offensively he was conspicuous by his silence, scoring just two points in 17 minutes.
One made field goal, zero trips to the line and zero assists recorded. He finished with 15.
One of the best parts to Barnes’ game, and there are many, is he never allows a poor offensive night to impact his defence, which is elite. Barnes played his best in the fourth quarter, aggressive near the rim and active on the glass, ending the night by recording six blocks.
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He also committed zero turnovers in the fourth period, which spoke to Barnes realizing the moment and seizing it.
DESIGNER BLAZERS
Portland’s season began with the stunning news that head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups had been charged by the FBI for profiting from rigged poker games involving several Mafia figures.
After his arrest, he was placed on unpaid leave and the Trail Blazers named assistant coach and former NBA player Tiago Splitter as interim coach.
Suffice to say this was not the backdrop anyone in RIP City imagined.
Portland, though, has tried to turn the page. The Blazers entered Friday night having won four in a row. For the month of January, the Blazers had gone 9-2.
Emerging star Deni Avdija reinjured his lower back in a 127-110 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday and was not available for the Raptors tip.
Whatever plays out for the balance of the season, the future appears to be bright in Portland. Former franchise face Damian Lillard hasn’t played and won’t play this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. All signs point to Dame Time being available for the start of next season.
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There’s no indication when former third overall pick Scoot Henderson will make his season debut after he tore a hamstring. He’s only 21 years old, but many are questioning if Henderson has a future in Portland.
There are some pieces in Portland, but nothing went right against the Raptors in the opening quarter Friday night when the Blazers scored only 12 points on 4-for-28 shooting, including 1-for-11 from beyond the three-point arc.
Up Next
Raptors’ western trip ends Sunday night against the reigning champion OKC Thunder, who remain atop the league standings at 37-9 … OKC enters its matchup against the Raptors following a 117-114 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in a rematch of last year’s NBA final … Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 47 points as OKC lost its third home game of the season.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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