The Toronto Raptors came away with a routine victory on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, 127-104. However, the finals score may not be a very good representation of how the ballgame started, as the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans were actually able to keep it close in the first half thanks to a poor start from Toronto.
Raptors talisman Kawhi Leonard definitely took notice of his team's lethargic start to the ballgame, and was not afraid to call them out for their inadequacies. In true Kawhi fashion, the 27-year-old let his game do the talking as he exhibited the type of intensity that was required from the entire team.
Kawhi: "I told them today we were playing soft early, we were letting the ball bounce two or three times before someone got a rebound and by me saying that I have to show them a tougher game … That’s what I try to do, lead by example."
— Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) March 9, 2019
Leonard's effort definitely paid off, as the Raptors came out as a different team following the halftime break. They outscored the Pelicans by 20 points in the second half alone, which eventually allowed them to pull away from a pesky New Orleans side.
For his part, Leonard was an absolute beast in this one, dropping a game-high 31 points on a characteristically efficient 14-of-20 from the field. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner also notched a three-pointer, a rebound, two assists, and two steals, as he led his team to a bounce-back victory following a two-game losing skid.
Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry notched a very impressive triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Most Improved Player of the Year favorite Pascal Siakam had another huge night with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks.
The win lifts Toronto to 47-19, but they still remain two and a half games behind the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks at this point.
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