Scottie Barnes calls for extra help for Brandon Ingram after loss

The Toronto Raptors finally hit one of the hottest stretches in the NBA. Their nine-game winning streak ended Saturday night in a 118-111 overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets, and while there’s no panic in the locker room, a clear message is forming.

Toronto, now 14-6 on the season, looked in control early before allowing Charlotte to erase a 17-point deficit and seize some momentum late. Brandon Ingram once again took the offensive load late in the game, but this time the Raptors couldn’t find the right balance around him, and Scotty Barnes said so after the game.

A rare night out at Clutch

Ingram finished with 22 points, but most of the offense came before crunch time. Once the fourth quarter hit, the Hornets wore down their defense, repeatedly forcing him into double-teams and catching him in isolation, something teams around the league have tried during this stretch winning streak.

The final

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Barnes made it clear that the Raptors weren’t aggressive enough in countering those defensive adjustments. “We just have to do a better job when they double Brandon,” Barnes said after the game. “We just have to find those cuts, find those outlets to help him in those situations.”

The Raptors had open looks and potential driving lanes when Charlotte hit Ingrambut the ball movement hasn’t been as sharp as it was during their nine-game skid. Instead, the possession slowed down, the spacing narrowed, and the offense became predictable.

Barnes is stepping up, but he wants more from the team

Barnes wasn’t the problem; he had 30 points and 12 rebounds in another dominant all-around game. But even in one of his best games of the year, he pointed the finger inside.

“We have to close that game,” he added. “We have to close that game.”

With the Eastern Conference standings tightening and momentum on their side, the Raptors know this loss isn’t a setback, just a reminder. If they want to compete with the best in the league, closing games with balance, poise and offensive variety will be essential.

Next up: a road matchup with the New York Knicks, where Toronto will try to reset and make sure Ingram doesn’t struggle through double teams alone.