The visiting Charlotte Hornets will aim to continue their role as pests buzzing around the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.
The teams split their previous two meetings this season.
Charlotte overcame a 17-point first-quarter deficit at home on Saturday to earn a 118-111 overtime win that ended Toronto’s nine-game winning streak.
In their previous trip to Toronto, on Nov. 17, the Hornets trailed by 12 points in the first half before losing 110-108. It was the Raptors’ 10th consecutive home win over the Hornets.
This time, Charlotte will have the advantage of an extra day off after losing 119-104 to the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Hornets are 0-2 to start a three-game road trip.
They will catch the Raptors on the second half of a back-to-back set. Toronto lost 123-120 to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on the last shot of the game Thursday to end an eight-game home winning streak. The Raptors have split the first two contests of a five-game homestand.
The Hornets are dealing with injuries. Collin Sexton (left quadriceps strain) is out for the game in Toronto. Brandon Miller (dislocated left shoulder), Ryan Kalkbrenner (left ankle contusion) and Tre Mann (right knee soreness) are listed as questionable.
Sexton and Kalkbrenner were injured in the second half at New York, while Miller and Mann sat out due to their ailments.
Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball scored 34 points — 16 in the fourth quarter — against the Knicks. He sank five 3-pointers and added nine assists and eight rebounds.
The Hornets will be intent on starting on time in Toronto after the Knicks held them to 12 points in the first quarter. They came back with 35 in the second quarter to trail by six at halftime.
“Thirty second-chance points tonight for the Knicks, which is a little bit too much,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “I thought we did a much better job just trusting the pass. We didn’t shoot it great, (40% from the field and 31% from 3-point range), but we created some really great open looks for each other.
“I thought LaMelo had it going on both ends of the floor. We needed that boost.”
The Raptors expect to have center Jakob Poeltl in the lineup on Friday. He sat out on Thursday with back issues that have been a problem all season.
“He did not feel great in the practice,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said. “He did not bounce back from the last game well. He decided it is better for him and his back to get one extra day here and get ready for the second game.”
Sandro Mamukelashvili started at center against the Lakers and compiled 13 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots in 37 minutes.
“When it comes to starters in those situations, I like to be fluid,” Rajakovic said. “I like to see different guys get that opportunity.”
Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 23 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. He also blocked three shots.
Barnes helped hold LeBron James to eight points on 4-for-17 shooting, ending James’ record streak of 1,297 consecutive games of scoring in double figures. James’ 11th assist of the game, however, set up Rui Hachimura for the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
“I thought that Scottie did an outstanding job on him,” Rajakovic said. “He was his primary matchup for the majority of the night, he was shooting 4-for-17. A big reason was Scottie putting him in tough positions and tough situations.”
–Field Level Media
