NBA: RJ Barrett scores 21 as Raptors dump Jazz

RJ Barrett scored 21 points as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Utah Jazz 107-100 on Sunday night, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20 points, while Scottie Barnes contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, and four blocked shots as Toronto began a five-game homestand. For the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen had 27 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Ingram scored 19 points, and Immanuel Quickley added 17 points for Utah.

The Raptors held a slim two-point lead entering the fourth quarter, which grew to seven after Quickley’s 3-pointer with 8:06 remaining. Utah battled back to within five points at 4:26, but Mamukelashvili’s layup off a missed shot by Jusuf Nurkic extended Toronto’s lead to nine with just over three minutes left. Ace Bailey’s dunk later cut the gap to five, but Toronto held on for the win.

Toronto jumped to a 28-23 lead after the first quarter. During the opening period, Barnes learned he would be an All-Star Game reserve and was celebrated by his teammates during a timeout.

The Jazz capitalized on turnovers in the second quarter to take a 40-39 lead on Isaiah Collier’s steal and layup with 6:48 remaining. Collier later made two free throws to extend the lead to six, and Markkanen closed the half with a two-handed jam after blocking a shot, giving Utah a 56-51 halftime advantage. The Jazz dominated the boards early, outrebounding Toronto 30-19 in the first half.

Toronto opened the third quarter with a 6-0 run to take a one-point lead. Utah regained control briefly, with Markkanen completing a three-point play to go up by four with 7:45 left. The Raptors responded with an 8-0 run to lead by four, finishing the third quarter ahead 86-84 in a sloppy period.

Utah’s Keyonte George missed the game due to a sprained left ankle. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, while Collier had 19 points and Cody Williams added 10 points. Ace Bailey contributed four points and 11 rebounds.

—Field Level Media/Reuters