Raptors knock off short-handed Hornets

Field Level Media|published: Mon 18th December, 22:15 2023

Dec 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Ish Smith (14) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena. credits: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Pascal Siakam scored 27 points and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 114-99 on Monday night.

Scottie Barnes added 22 points and 17 rebounds for the Raptors, who are 2-1 on a four-game homestand.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds for Toronto, which also got 13 points from Dennis Schroder and 12 from Precious Achiuwa.

Terry Rozier scored 22 points for the depleted Hornets, who have lost five games in a row. P.J. Washington had 15 points and four steals, Brandon Miller and Bryce McGowens each had 14 points and Nick Richards had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets were without Gordon Hayward (illness), LaMelo Ball (ankle), Mark Williams (back), Cody Martin (knee) and Miles Bridges (not with team).

Charlotte took a two-point edge into the fourth quarter, but Toronto used a 12-2 run to take a 95-87 lead with 7:03 left in the game. McGowens made two free throws to cut the Raptors' lead to four with 5:17 remaining.

Siakam answered with a three-point play with 4:38 to go, and another three-point play by Siakam pushed the lead to 12 with 3:35 remaining.

Trent's 3-pointer with 1:50 to play made it a 13-point game and put the contest out of reach.

Charlotte led 27-19 after 12 minutes of action thanks in large part to an 11-0, first-quarter run.

Washington opened the second quarter with a trey to bump the lead to 11. Toronto scored the next six points to pull within 30-25.

Later in the frame, Washington's steal and 3-pointer put Charlotte ahead by eight with 2:47 remaining. Siakam banked in an 11-footer to finish the first-half scoring, and Charlotte led 52-48 at the break.

Charlotte shot 41.3 percent (19-for-46) from the field in the first half, with Rozier scoring 13 points. Toronto shot 42.5 percent (17-for-40) before intermission. Barnes had 12 points.

Schroder's 3-pointer cut the Hornets' lead to one at 70-69 with 4:08 left in the third quarter. Schroder then made two free throws to give Toronto a one-point lead, but Charlotte took an 81-79 advantage to the fourth.

—Field Level Media

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