Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets
Records: Raptors (42-16), Hornets (20-38)
Where to Watch
Date: Friday, Feb. 28
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: Sportsnet ONE (Canada), Fox Sports Carolina (USA)
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Game Preview
Following a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Raptors will set their sights on getting back to their winning ways as they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.
The Raptors looked great on Tuesday for about a quarter and a half and then were slowly outmuscled by Milwaukee. Several Raptors will be looking for bounce-back games, including Kyle Lowry, who shot 2-for-12 from the field in Tuesday's loss.
A positive to take away from the loss on Tuesday was the play of Chris Boucher and Matt Thomas. Boucher played 19 energy-filled minutes finishing with 10 points, seven rebounds and one nasty put-back slam.
Bruv 😳 pic.twitter.com/iA60GKiIsU
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 26, 2020
Thomas caught fire in the first half from three, finishing with nine points on 60% from 3-point range.
Getting that sort of production from their bench consistently will be Toronto in a very favourable spot heading into the playoffs.
The Hornets are currently six games back of the Orlando Magic for the eighth seed in the East. They're coming off a win on Wednesday where they outclassed the lowly New York Knicks. According to Tankathon, Charlotte has the fifth toughest remaining schedule. They could use a couple of upset wins along the way if they plan on making the playoffs this season.
After starting the season on fire, Hornets guard Devonte' Graham has come back down to earth, averaging 15.6 points and 7.5 assists on 37% shooting from the field since the start of 2020.
The Raptors have done a good job of checking Graham in check in their two previous meetings with Charlotte this season, holding him to an average of 11.0 points on 29% from the field.
The Raptors and Hornets will play one more time after Friday night's game in Charlotte on April 8.
Injury Report
Raptors
- Marc Gasol (hamstring) - Out
- Dewan Hernandez (ankle) - Out
- Serge Ibaka (right knee soreness) - Out
- Fred VanVleet (shoulder) - Out
- Norman Powell (finger) - Probable
- Patrick McCaw (illness) - Available
Hornets
- Malik Monk (League Suspension)
- Dwayne Bacon (G League assignment)
Game Notes
- Former Canadian National Team head coach Jay Triano and Canadian National Team assistant coach Nate Mitchell sever as assistants on the Hornets coaching staff.
- Villanova retired the No. 1 jersey of six-time NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry on Wednesday night. Lowry played two seasons for current head coach Jay Wright (2004-06), helping the Wildcats make consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament.
- The Raptors held Milwaukee to 38.1% shooting from the field Tuesday, the 17th time Toronto has held its opponent below 40% shooting this season. Raps currently rank 2nd in the league with a 42.6% opponent field goal percentage. Milwaukee is 1st (41.2%).
- Toronto is 42-16 this season, matching the best record after 58 games in franchise history set last season. The Raptors have won at least 51 games each of the last four seasons after not reaching 50 wins in any of their first 20 seasons.
- Hornets Cody Zeller and Raptors OG Anunoby both played college basketball at Indiana
- Bismack Biyombo played in Toronto in the 2015-16 season
- Hornets Willy Hernangomez and C Marc Gasol are teammates on the Spanish National Team, most recently competing together in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Last Time They Played
Date: Jan. 8, 2020
Score: Raptors 112, Hornets 110
Raptors: Terrence Davis — 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 50% from the field
Hornets: Terry Rozier — 27 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, 36% from 3-point range
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