Raptors avoid extending losing skid even as they continue to miss RJ Barrett

TORONTO - Back-to-back losses aren't the end of the world, but the Toronto Raptors weren't going to let their skid stretch to three games.

Scottie Barnes had 28 points — including 13 in the second quarter — seven rebounds, seven assists, and two blocks as Toronto held off the Portland Trail Blazers 121-118 on Tuesday. The win came after the Raptors fell to the Charlotte Hornets 118-111 on Saturday in overtime and then dropped a 116-94 decision to the New York Knicks the next night.

"This was a big-time win for us, we really needed it," said Barnes, who was named the NBA Eastern Conference's defensive player of the month before the game. "Dropped those two back-to-back, really feel like we should’ve had that first one, so it's good to get back in the win column and finish out the game.”