The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Toronto Raptors 110-106 to keep their playoff chances alive.
The Charlotte Hornets’ chances were on life support with the team four games out and the mathematical elimination list getting very close to them. So naturally they took on playoff-bound Toronto and got a win for good measure,110-106. This was Toronto withoutKyle Lowrybut it is still a win and it still keeps the Hornets ever so barely alive for the playoffs.
This was not theKemba Walkerproduction that we had seen the past two games that had fallen short. Instead this was the more balanced outlook the team needed. Walker hit the big shots at the end, butMarvin Williamssupplied eighteen points andMarco Belinellisupplied twenty-one.Frank Kaminskyscored thirteen and there was aMiles Plumleesighting (five points).
How about Belinelli? Does anybody believe now that the Hornets should have kept their draft pick? Where would the Hornets be withMalachi Richardsonright now (although it is fair to note thatMalcolm Brogdonhas had a pretty good year and got a lot of pre-draft Hornets scouting)? Marco has been a fire cracker, if only he played more defense.
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An overlooked part of the box score will doubtless be the nine points scored byBrian Roberts. One of the key issues for the Hornets is increasing their efficiency when going to the bench. The point guard spot is one of the places where that lags sinceRamon Sessionshas been out. Roberts’ effort against Toronto is something that must continue for the Hornets to have any chance in the playoff race.
Lastly, the Hornets still need to work on defensive effort.Cory Josephhad eighteen points in relief of Lowry.DeMar DeRozan, a known scorer, had eight assists. The Raptors starting five would have beaten the Hornets starting five handily without their respective benches.
Next: Patrick Ewing to Alma Mater
Here goes nothing. The Hornets play the Nuggets on Friday to keep taking things a game at a time.
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