NBA Notes: Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Kings

Raptors

After one of their roughest losses of the season Friday in Washington, the Raptors responded the way good teams try to: With wins over Golden State and Orlando on back-to-back nights.

The bounce-back began Sunday against the Warriors, when Scottie Barnes authored a little team history. Barnes posted the first 20-20 triple-double the franchise has ever seen, finishing with 23 points, a whopping 25 rebounds and 10 assists.

It was another reminder why Toronto continues to view Barnes as a foundational piece, even as he works through the limitations in his scoring game, as Eric Koreen of The Athletic noted.

Monday brought a different challenge. Barnes was quieter, scoring 13 points on five of 12 shooting, but the Raptors still found a way.

Jamal Shead poured in 19 points with five assists, Gradey Dick added 15, and Collin Murray-Boyles chipped in 12 rebounds and two blocks to lift Toronto past Orlando.

“They’re built of special cloth,” coach Darko Rajakovic said, via Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca. “They’re resilient. They prepare the same way every night and they keep going forward. I love how fearless they are and how together they play.”

Rockets

Center Alperen Sengun has missed two straight games with what the Rockets are calling a left soleus strain, but the concern level appears low.

Coach Ime Udoka said Monday the team is simply managing soreness that flared up after Houston’s Christmas Day game, according to Will Guillory of The Athletic. Udoka added he does not believe the injury is a serious one.

Kings

Sacramento could get some help Tuesday.

Center Drew Eubanks is expected to be available against the Clippers after missing seven games with a thumb fracture, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reported. Eubanks had been slated for a three-week reevaluation but appears to be ahead of schedule.

The Kings also may be closer to getting Keegan Murray back. Murray has been upgraded to questionable after missing the past two games with a calf strain.

He was originally expected to be reevaluated later this week, opening the door for a quicker return than first anticipated.