It looked like the Toronto Raptors were about to suffer their worst loss of the season against the Charlotte Hornets.
Toronto was in a tightly contested battle against the shorthanded Hornets, but then used a huge fourth quarter to propel them to a 114-99 victory. The Raptors overcame an 11-point deficit to get the much needed win.
The Hornets were missing a ton of key players in this one including LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin, Frank Ntilikina, Mark Williams, Gordon Hayward and Miles Bridges who was denied entry to Canada on Sunday, as a result of his legal issues.
Despite being severely shorthanded the Hornets fought hard and actually had the lead at halftime. They were led Terry Rozier who scored 22 points.
The game was close heading into the fourth quarter but then the Raptors took over. They outscored the Hornets 35-18 in the final frame.
Scottie Barnes was masterful in the win. He had 22 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks. He was 7-14 from the field and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Barnes is the first Raptors player in franchise history with 15+ points, 15+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 3+ blocks in a game.
Barnes was the only player for Toronto who brought it from start to finish. He kept pushing and kept the Raptors in the game when it looked like they were headed for an embarrassing loss.
Pascal Siakam came alive in the second half and finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
Gary Trent Jr. had his best game of the season from off the bench. Trent Jr. scored 22 points and hauled in 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Precious Achiuwa added 12 points as the Raptors got some good bench production in this one thanks to those two.
Toronto was able to win this game despite shooting 8-29 from three and turning the ball over 19 times.
The Raptors had 30 assists and 64 of their 114 points came in the paint.
Toronto now improve to 11-15 on the season.
Next on tap
The Raptors will welcome the defending NBA Champion Denver Nuggets to town on Dec. 20.
The Raptors split the season series against the Nuggets last season at 1-1.
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