Scottie Barnes embracing the franchise role on both ends of the floor

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Of all the areas in which Scottie Barnes excels, and there are many, the one strength that is not the Raptors franchise player's face is his ability to shoot three-pointers.

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On Sunday night, he scored two goals in the first quarter, continuing an early-season trend that isn't sustainable.

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When he makes throws, the floor opens up, allowing players like Brandon Ingram and R.J. Barrett, attack the created lanes.

Barnes was also very active on both ends of the floor against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, a team that was without Ja Morant after another incident that spoke to his immaturity.

Barnes is in his fifth season in the NBA and his maturity is growing and his impact on games is growing.

It helps when Barrett is at his best when Ingram scores from different spots on the floor and in different ways.

Second game in a row protection was not a problem because for the second game in a row the opponent Toronto was in the minority.

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Sunday's 117-104 victory was deserved over a Grizzlies team that didn't quit.

Toronto led by 16 points, while the Grizzlies' largest lead was two.

Below are three takeaways from the Raptors' first home win of the season, as the Raptors took advantage of a depleted opponent for the second game in a row; It's no surprise that the Raptors won their second straight for the first time this season.

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1. Oh God, oh Boyce

Colleen Murray-Boyce continues to turn heads.

The guy clearly took advantage of the opportunity that arose after veteran Jakob Poeltl injured his back for the first time in the team's preseason finale.

SMB he doesn't have the size of Poeltl to protect the paint and the rim, but he is a good defender who will only get better as he learns the NBA and its players.

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Against the Grizzlies, he showed off his ability to handle the ball and used the dribble to create space to win.

Additionally, he is showing an increased willingness to attack the rim.

First of all, his confidence is growing and it is easy to notice.

The Raptors selected CMB with the ninth overall pick.

Two slots later, Cedric Coward was selected by Portland and traded to Memphis.

A coward isn't bad either.

Clearly, the Raptors have attacked CMB.

This starting period will benefit you in the long run.

Even in the short term the child is present.

2. Quickly improvement

The early return isn't great, but it's still early and head coach Darko Rajakovic is confident things will change for starting point guard Immanuel Quickley.

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They can't get any worse, and Rajakovic has no choice but to keep the faith when it comes to Quickley's performance.

“We all know what kind of player he is,” Rajakovic said. “There is no secret formula. We have to take it one game at a time.

“I need to do a better job of building his confidence and making sure he understands how important he is. I think he'll be fine.”

His first shot from the field Sunday, a 3-pointer no less, was encouraging, just his ninth from long range on 33 shots from beyond the arc.

Quickley's defense is patchy at best, and that's the one area that absolutely needs improvement.

Early in the third quarter, Quickley's three gave the Raptors their biggest lead as he flashed his patented smile that couldn't be seen.

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In the fourth quarter, he made a great cross-court pass to Grady Dick.

Dick had a tough time, too, but he caught Quickley's pass cleanly and confidently launched his three-point shot that found nothing but the net.

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3. And Breaker

So much is being done to surround Morant with quality players, but the face of the franchise is unwilling to take responsibility for the Grizzlies, who may be reaching a point where a split between the two sides is necessary.

Immaturity best describes Morant, whose explosive play is matched by his explosive behavior.

In the NBA, star players hold all the cards.

Unless Morant has a sudden epiphany, he risks wasting his enormous talents.

On his only visit to Toronto, Morant was a no-show after the club suspended its top player for conduct detrimental to the team following Friday night's loss to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.

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It's pretty sad.

A year ago, the Grizzlies shocked the NBA by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins in March.

Tuomas Iisalo was appointed interim head coach, a title that was later removed.

Memphis then traded dynamic player Desmond Bane to Orlando in the offseason.

Two-time All-Star Morant is expected to play Monday night when Memphis hosts Detroit.

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Half of Toronto's four home games to start the season have featured Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 31 points in the Raptors' home opener in a 122-116 Milwaukee win; The Bucks were back in town to hang out Tuesday night before the Raptors hit the road for an extended stretch.

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