Who's Playing?
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets
Records: Raptors (24-13), Hornets (15-24)
Where to Watch
Date: Jan. 8, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: SN1 (Canada), FSSE-CHA or League Pass (USA)
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Game Preview
Following a tough loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Raptors hit the road to take on the Hornets.
The Hornets have been more competitive this season than expected. Despite losing Kemba Walker to the Boston Celtics in free agency, the Hornets are currently only a couple of games behind the Brooklyn Nets for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Five players are averaging double figures scoring for Charlotte on the season, led by second-year guard Devonte' Graham.
The 34th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Graham barely played in his rookie season. He is now averaging team-highs of 19.1 points and 7.8 assists per game as a sophomore, making a strong case to be this season's Most Improved Player, as well as a potential All-Star.
VOTE NOW FOR THE 2020 ALL-STAR GAME!
With how well he's been playing this season, the point guard battle between Graham and Kyle Lowry will be one to watch.
How do you spell clutch?
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 3, 2020
Answer: D-E-V-O-N-T-E pic.twitter.com/yIiNEp2QQ8
The short-handed Raptors might need another big game from Lowry to come up with the win on a second night of a back-to-back. There's still no word on when Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol will return, and it appears as though the Raptors will be without Fred VanVleet for some time due to a hamstring injury.
MORE: How have the Raptors performed on back-to-backs?
Lowry scored a team-high 24 points in Toronto's loss to Portland on Tuesday, but he shot only 7-for-23 from the field and 4-for-16 from 3-point range.
One bright spot for the Raptors lately has been the play of Toronto native Oshae Brissett. He's been playing 15.8 minutes per game since Christmas Day with averages of 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. He's given the Raptors a boost on both ends of the court with his hustle, rebounding and versatility, even flashing some potential as a shooter against the Blazers by knocking down two of his four 3-point attempts.
With so many players still out, Wednesday is another opportunity to see what Brissett can bring to this team.
Injury Report
The Raptors have not yet submitted an injury report.
For the Hornets, Marvin Williams is listed as questionable (nasal fracture).
Game Notes
- The Raptors 2-3 this season on the second night of a back-to-back.
- The Hornets are a different team when Devonte' Graham is on the court. According to NBA.com, they have been 13.4 points per 100 possessions better offensively with him in the lineup, which represents the best differential on the team by a mile.
- Graham has been one of the league's best performers in the clutch this season, trailing only four players in total points scored in the last five minutes of a five-point game.
- The Hornets rank 22nd in offence and 27th in defence for a net rating of -6.7.
- The Raptors rank 16th in offence and 2nd in defence for a net rating of +5.3.
Last Time They Played
Date: Nov. 18, 2019
Score: Raptors 132, Hornets 96
Raptors: OG Anunoby — 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Hornets: Marvin Williams — 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist
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