What a night at the six. The Raptors won another game at home against the Charlotte Hornets, increasing the record of the season to 9-5, compared to them opening the season with a losing record of 1-4. The Raptors fresh from a strong road trip, were home once again while the Hornets however, batter and bruised with key players out with injury were looking to get a win but couldn’t in the end. This game was an all-rounded game; Six Raptors were able to contribute double digit points.
The Hornets started the game with energy despite what their record says, they played like they believed they could pull off the upset. The rookie centre Ryan Kalkbrenner was active on the glass, and the hornets did try to make a push. The fourth pick of the this year’s draft, Kon Knueppel dropped 24 points leading the hornets while leading the team of the Hornet’s veterans, both Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball scored 22 and 20. But because of their shooting from behind the arch was only at 10-for-40, it made it clear that the reliance on three pointer made them unable to generate different looks for the rest of the team thus leading into a narrow loss for the team.
The Raptors however, even though they kept this win streak alive, it was an intense fourth quarter battle to sealed it. R.J. Barrett drove into the hoop and delivered the go-ahead basket with 18 seconds remaining. While Scottie Barnes, sealed the deal with a game saving block on Charlotte’s Colin Sexton’s put-back attempt at the buzzer. The highlight of this game was the Raptors star, Brandon Ingram, who showed that why he is still at an all-star level, contributing 27 points and sinking in mid-range shot after another. He also put on a show, posterizing over the rookie center Kalkbrenner in the fourth quarter.
What stands out from this game for the Raptors, it’s the growing belief that they are able to win tight games, they didn’t just outscore the opponent, they outfought them through the tough defense. Not only that the starters are playing along well with each other, the bench depth and defensive stops were key moments of this game. They are continuing to build on their win streak, winning the last seven out of the 8 games. Let’s see if they would manage this hot streak on their next game on a one game road trip against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ben Chan kchan467@my.bcit.ca