Raptors top Cavaliers in Toronto debuts of Canadian RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley

Pascal Siakam scored 36 points as the new-look Raptors held off the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 124-121 on Monday in the Toronto debuts of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

Barrett finished with 19 point and nine rebounds two days after he was traded to the Raptors (13-20) by the New York Knicks. Quickley, who was typically a reserve for New York, finished with 14 points.

Scottie Barnes finished with 20 points as six Raptors scored in double digits, including Jakob Poeltl who had 14 points and 11 boards for a double-double.

Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland (18-15) with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Caris LeVert came off the bench for 31 points.

Barrett and Quickley started for the Raptors after they were traded to Toronto from New York on Saturday.

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Toronto sent forwards OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa as well as guard Malachi Flynn to the Knicks for Barrett, Quickley, and a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

"Obviously, adding two new players in the middle of the season is challenging," said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic before the game. "We met yesterday, we had a chance to talk a little bit about offence and defence, we met early this morning before shootaround to go over some basic stuff and game preparation for tonight."

Quickley had an immediate impact, scoring Toronto's first points with a three-pointer 56 seconds into the first quarter. Barrett got an assist on the play.

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Siakam hit a three-pointer with three seconds left in the first to give Toronto a 41-32 lead at the end of the quarter.

It was the most points the Raptors has scored in a first quarter all season,