Barnes returned Thursday after missing Toronto's last 11 outings due to a right orbital fracture, providing a lift offensively in the starting lineup via distribution and scoring in a well-rounding outing.

In a rebuilding scenario, there is the urge to make every positive sign seem bigger than it is. The Toronto Raptors have had plenty of those signs this year. Gradey Dick’s game has expanded. RJ Barrett’s passing has improved.