Agbaji and Battle rain down 3s as the Raptors beat the hapless Pelicans 119-93

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Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) goes to the basket ahead of New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) and guard Dejounte Murray (5) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) drives down court against New Orleans Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton (22) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) falls for a loose ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl shoots against Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots against Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter and forward Scottie Barnes (4) leap for a rebound against New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) tries to block a shot by Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle goes to the basket over New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The Raptors won 119-93. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic calls out from the bench in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The Raptors won 119-93. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots against Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The Raptors won 119-93. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl ( shoots between New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The Raptors won 119-93. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, second right, and forward Brandon Ingram, second left, sit on the bench with center Yves Missi (21) and forward Jamal Cain in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. The Raptors won 119-93. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Ochai Agbaji and Jamison Battle each scored 24 points, and the Toronto Raptors won on the road for the first time this season, 119-93 over the hapless New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.

Djounte Murray returned from a fractured left hand that sidelined him for 17 games and looked rusty early. He finished with 14 points, but missed all seven of his first-half shots and shot 5 of 17 overall as the Pelicans lost their sixth straight game and 15th out of 17.

CJ McCollum scored 19 points in his second game since returning from an adductor strain and missing 13 contests.

RJ Barrett had 22 points and 11 assists for Toronto, which came in 0-10 on the road. Scottie Barnes added 17 points for the Raptors, who hit a season-high 21 3s.

Agbaji went 6 of 7 from 3-point range and Battle went 6 for 8.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who played without starters Zion Williamson (left hamstring), Brandon Ingram (right calf) and Herb Jones (right shoulder), as well as prominent reserve Trey Murphy III (left knee bruise).

Takeaways

Raptors: Toronto’s 21 made 3s were their most since January 2021.

Pelicans: Coach Willie Green went with a relatively small starting lineup. After 6-foot-11 center Yves Missi, the 6-6 Boston was New Orleans’ next-tallest starter, followed by Murray (6-5), Javonte Green (6-4) and McCollum (6-3). The Pelicans went 11 of 35 from deep.

Key moment

After assisting on Agbaji’s alley-oop layup, Barrett scored eight straight points on two free throws and three layups, sparking a 16-2 run that put Toronto up 79-53.

Key stat

Toronto shot 21 of 52 (40.4%) from 3-point range after coming in last in the NBA in made 3-pointers with 10.4 per game.

Up Next

The Raptors play at Miami on Friday night, when the Pelicans visit Memphis.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA