The Toronto Raptors look to avoid their third loss in a row when they take on the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center.
The Raptors have dropped 4 of their last 5 games. It’s only Dec. 8 but time is starting to tick on their season.
Toronto needs to turn it around soon or else big changes could be coming. The Raptors find themselves in an early must-win situation against the Hornets.
The Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference at 6-13 and have been without their All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball due to a right ankle sprain. Ball has missed the last few games and will not be ready to play in this one.
The Raptors need to bounce back in this spot and beat the lowly Hornets who are on a 2-game losing streak as well. Toronto is hoping for another big game from Pascal Siakam.
Siakam led all scorers with 30 points in the Raptors loss against the Miami Heat. O.G. Anunoby had a nice game as well finishing with 23 points.
Toronto is going to need some bounce back performances from both Dennis Schroder and Scottie Barnes.
Schroder was 4 of 18 from the field and put up a ton of bad shots. Schroder needs to get back to his passing ways.
As for Barnes, he’s coming off one of his worst shooting games of the season. Barnes finished with only 12 points on 5-17 shooting from the field.
Toronto needs to do a better job of getting off to a good start. The Raptors started the first quarter cold from the field and then went on another long drought to open the third quarter against Miami.
The Raptors swept the season series against the Hornets last season.
Toronto Raptors (9-12) vs. Charlotte Hornets (6-13)
7:00 p.m. ET, Friday, December 8, 2023
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: Sportsnet
Projected Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG: Dennis Schroder
SG: O.G. Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Jakob Poeltl
Key Reserves: Gary Trent Jr., Malachi Flynn, Precious Achiuwa
Projected Hornets Starting Lineup:
PG: Terry Rozier
SG: Brandon Miller
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Nick Richards
Key Reserves: Paul Jamaine Washington Jr., Bryce McGowens, Ish Smith
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