Of all the areas Scottie Barnes excels, and there are many, one strength that does not apply to the face of the Raptors franchise player is his ability to knock down three-pointers.

He drilled two in the opening quarter Sunday night, continuing an early season trend that is not realistically sustainable.

When he does make shots, the floor opens and it allows the likes of Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett to attack the lanes that are created.

Barnes was also very active on both ends of the floor against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, a team that did not have not Ja Morant available following yet another incident that speaks to his immaturity.

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

It helps when Barrett is at his efficient best, when Ingram is scoring from different spots on the floor and in multiple ways.

For the second game in a row, defence wasn’t a problem because for the second game in a row Toronto’s opponent was short-handed.

Sunday’s 117-104 win was deserving against a Grizzlies team that did not quit.

Toronto led by as many as 16 points, while the Grizzlies’ biggest lead was two.

The following are three takeaways from the Raptors’ first home win of the early season, a night when the Raptors took advantage of a depleted opponent for the second game in a row; not surprisingly, the Raptors won their second straight for the first time this season.

1. Boy Oh Boyes

Collin Murray-Boyes continues to turn heads.

The kid has clearly taken advantage an opportunity created when veteran Jakob Poeltl first injured his back in the team’s pre-season finale.

CMB doesn’t have Poeltl’s size 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.

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

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

Above all else, 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.

Coward isn’t bad either.

Clearly, the Raptors have hit on CMB.

This run of starting will be beneficial in the long run.

Even in the short term, the kid is having a presence.

2. Quickley Improving

The early returns aren’t good, but it is early and head coach Darko Rajakovic is confident things will change for starting point guard Immanuel Quickley.

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

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

“I need to do a better job of building his confidence and making sure he knows how important he is. I think he’s going to be just fine.”

Making his first shot from the field Sunday, a three-pointer no less, was encouraging, only his ninth make from distance on his 33rd heave from beyond the arc.

Quickley’s defence is spotty at best, the one area that absolutely must improve.

Early in the third quarter, a Quickley three gave the Raptors their largest lead as he flashed his patented smile, which hasn’t been visible.

He made a great cross-court pass to Gradey Dick in the fourth quarter.

Dick has also been struggling, but he did catch the Quickley pass cleanly and heaved it with conviction on a three-point shot that found nothing but net.

3. Ja Breaker

So much is trying to be done to surround Morant with quality pieces and yet the franchise face is unwilling to accept his responsibility with the Grizzlies, who might be reaching the point where a split between the two parties is needed.

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

In the NBA, star players hold all the cards with teams at their mercy.

Unless Morant has a sudden epiphany, he’s on track to waste his immense talents.

In his lone visit to Toronto, Morant was a no-show after the club suspended its marquee player for conduct detrimental to the team following a loss to the visiting L.A. Lakers Friday night.

It’s quite sad.

A year ago, the Grizzlies shocked the NBA when they dismissed head coach Taylor Jenkins in March.

Tuomas Iisalo was named interim head coach and would later have the tag removed.

Memphis then traded a dynamic player in Desmond Bane to Orlando in the off-season.

A two-time all-star, Morant is expected to play Monday night when Memphis plays host to the Detroit.

Up Next

Half of Toronto’s four home games to begin the season features Giannis Antetokounmpo, who poured in 31 points in the Raptors’ home opener in 122-116 Milwaukee win; the Bucks are back in town for a Tuesday night tip before the Raptors hit the road for an extended stretch.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com