UPDATE: The Toronto Raptors are on a mission for their 10th consecutive victory as they face off against the Charlotte Hornets tonight at 6 p.m. EST in Charlotte, North Carolina. With a current record of 14-5, the Raptors sit second in the Eastern Conference and are eager to extend their impressive nine-game win streak.
The Hornets, struggling at 5-14 and ranked 12th in the East, will need a significant turnaround. Currently, they hold a 4-9 record in conference games, while the Raptors excel with a 13-2 mark. With the Raptors favored by 8.5 points and an over/under set at 231.5, this match is shaping up to be pivotal for both teams.
Tonight’s game marks the second meeting between these teams this season, following the Raptors’ narrow victory of 110-108 on November 18, where Brandon Ingram led the Raptors with 27 points.
Why This Matters: The Raptors are shooting an impressive 50.1% from the field, placing them in a strong position to capitalize on Charlotte’s defense, which allows opponents to shoot 50.3%. The Hornets, on the other hand, rely heavily on their three-point shooting, averaging 14.2 made threes per game, but face a challenge against Toronto’s defensive capabilities.
Top performers to watch include Ingram, who is averaging 26.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over the last ten games, and Kon Knueppel from the Hornets, shooting 46.9% and averaging 18.3 points. Additionally, Brandon Miller has been a standout for Charlotte, boasting an average of 27.0 points over his last ten games.
Injury Report: The Hornets have several players listed as day-to-day, including Grant Williams (ACL), Pat Connaughton (calf), and Josh Green (shoulder). Meanwhile, the Raptors will be without RJ Barrett due to a knee injury.
As the Raptors aim to keep their winning streak alive, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome of this matchup. Stay tuned for updates as the game unfolds!
