In some ways, comparing Scottie Barnes and Zion Williamson is like a basketball philosophy test. As the two squared off Monday, Barnes showed why the Raptors feel their star is only getting better.

Jakob Poeltl had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Scottie Barnes had 21 points and 11 boards, and the Toronto Raptors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on Monday night for their first four-game winning streak in almost two years.

In the game within the game, Scottie Barnes and Zion Williamson would often get matched up against each other Monday night as the host Raptors were looking to keep the good times rolling. The mano a mano matchup was both compelling and competitive.

Before this recent six-in-seven run of wins, and during a period when an injured Barnes missed 35 of 88 games, Toronto's record was 4-31.

TORONTO (AP) — Jakob Poeltl had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Scottie Barnes had 21 points ... included a home victory over the Pelicans. Zion Williamson scored 31 points and CJ McCollum had ...

Whether it was his one on one matchup with Zion Williamson or simply deciding to take over a game when a game was there for the taking, credit Scottie Barnes for taking his game to another level. Toronto’s recent run of success hasn’t entirely been a result of Barnes’ improved play,

Los Angeles Lakers game that got postponed earlier this month due to the wildfires in Southern California will now take place on March 17 instead.

The Raptors started 0-10 away from home before winning at New Orleans on Nov. 27. Pelicans: Coach Willie Green was ejected for a double technical with 7:22 left in the fourth after he went onto the court to argue a non-call on Williamson’s driving basket.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anthony Davis had 42 points and 23 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge first quarter from the All-Star center to build a 23-point lead before beating the Charlotte Hornets 112-107 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

Top Performers Zion Williamson – 31 PTS, 7 REB, 3 BLK CJ McCollum – 22 PTS, 7 REB, 2 STL Dejounte Murray - 21 PTS, 7 REB, 8 AST Toronto – Top Performers Scottie Barnes – 21 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST (DBL-DBL) Jakob Poeltl – 21 PTS,

Zion Williamson was the lone New Orleans offensive player ... whether that’s Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija for Portland, or Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett for Toronto. It probably didn’t help the Pelicans that Brandon Ingram only played in three of ...

Jakob Poeltl had 21 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 on Monday night to stretch their winning streak to four games.