The Toronto Raptors will be hosting the Charlotte Hornets for their third of four games this season in the midst of a homestand. In the last few weeks, they’ve already faced the Hornets twice, splitting the first two games with each team winning at home.
Charlotte’s record is 6-16, proving how up and (mostly) down their season has been. After managing back-to-back victories, they immediately followed it up with a loss to Brooklyn, one of the worst teams in the League this year. Toronto has had their own share of difficulty recently. Last night, despite double digit performances by seven of the ten players who checked in, a last-second 3-pointer by Rui Hachimura sealed the Raptors fate, now dropping 3 of the last 4 games.
The Hornets will look to capitalize on Toronto’s down turn, especially with a rest advantage. Their injury report is fairly extensive, but some of their personnel are questionable or probable. Depending on who suits up, this game could look very different. Losing Collin Sexton is already disappointing for them, as he played exceptionally well down the stretch in the last outing against Toronto, forcing overtime and helping facilitate scoring in the extra minutes. LaMelo, Miller (when he isn’t injured) and Kalkbrenner have been fixtures, together contributing 46 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists per game. If any or all of them are missing, Charlotte will have to rely on rookie Kon Knueppel to continue to carry the offence and Moussa Diabete to help control the paint on both ends.
The Raptors are going to want this one, probably a little bit more than others. Answering their last loss, and also their loss to the Hornets will be on the agenda. Rather than keeping the score close, as was the case in two of their recent losses, Toronto will look to build a comfortable lead. BI will need to improve his shooting efficiency this time out, shooting less than 50% from the field and going 0-6 from long range last night. As a whole, the Raptors were shooting well, but throwing bricks at that clip, especially in close games can determine the outcome. They’ll have also improve their free-throw shooting. Only 81% is unfortunate, and the four they missed could’ve been the game against the Lakers.
On a more positive note, with the continued absence of RJ Barrett, Ja’Kobe had the opportunity to have one of his best games of the season so far last night. Scoring 17 points on efficient shooting and adding a couple boards and assists as well showed his potential for a bigger role.
Toronto: Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, Ja’Kobe Walter, Immanuel Quickley
Charlotte: LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabete, Sion James
Toronto: Not yet submitted.
Charlotte: LaMelo Ball (Probable: Wrist sprain), Pat Connaughton (Out: Calf strain), Josh Green (Out: Shoulder surgery), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Questionable: Ankle contusion), Tre Mann (Questionable: Knee soreness), Brandon Miller (Questionable: Shoulder subluxation), Drew Peterson (Out: G-League), Collin Sexton (Out: Quad strain), Grant Williams (Out: Knee surgery)
