Charlotte Hornets gets statement win against the Toronto Raptors, 113-78

The Charlotte Hornets blew-out the Toronto Raptors in a statement win Friday night, 112 to 78. Before tonight’s win, Charlotte was 0-7 against the top 3 teams (Cavs, Raptors, Celtics). It was the Hornets second straight win and second straight loss for the Raptors. The Hornets are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home; and are 15-1 this season when holding an opponent under 100 points, Charlotte held Toronto to under 20 points in three quarters this game, 18 points in the first, 15 points in the third and fourth quarters. The Hornets blew the game open in the third quarter, with the help of Kemba Walker 16 points in the quarter, Hornets outscored the Raptors 33-15 in the quarter to build a 25-point lead.

            The MVP for the Hornets this game would be Kemba Walker with 32 points on 11-16 shooting and 6 from 9 on three pointers and also dished out 8 assists. Kemba looked like locked for the All-Star this game, outplaying both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Other leading scorers for the Hornets this game was Frank Kaminsky with 16 points 8 rebounds off the bench, Nicolas Batum with 13 points 6 assists and Cody Zeller with 11 points. Leading scorers for the Raptors was Kyle Lowry with 24 points, DeMar DeRozan with 23 points and Jonas Valanclunas with 11 points 6 rebounds. The Raptors only shot 33% from the field this game while the Hornets shot a whopping 50% from the field. Charlotte also out-rebounded Toronto 51 to 33. Those two stats alone show you how one-sided this game was from start to finish. Charlotte Hornets (22-21) play tomorrow night at home against the Brooklyn Nets.

Charlotte Hornets beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 107-85

Charlotte Hornets beat the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday night, 107 to 85. Charlotte returned home after losing five straight on the road to fall under .500 and moved to the outside of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Kemba Walker had a big first half, hitting six of nine shots, and hitting three three-pointers to help give the Hornets a 54 to 46 lead at halftime. Hornets turned 16 Portland turnovers into 21 points and the Hornets bench outscored Portland bench 44-22. Charlotte led 79-72 after the third quarter but blew the game wide-open after eight quick points from Frank Kaminsky who scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter. The Hornets limited Portland to just 35% shooting and only made 8 of 31 (25%) from the three-point line but Portland did make all 11 free-throws; Hornets did snap an 8-game streak of allowing at least 100 points.

            The MVP for the Hornets this game would be Roy Hibbert who coming into this game was averaging 5.2 points per game but went off for a season-high 16 points on 6 of 8 shooting and grabbing 6 rebounds. Hibbert also had the best play of the game when he attempted to throw an alley-oop pass to Frank Kaminsky that inadvertently went in. Hibbert didn't even crack a smile as he jogged back down court which is the most Roy Hibbert thing ever. Leading scorers for the Hornets are Kemba Walker with 23 points 5 assists, Nicolas Batum with 17 points 7 rebounds 7 assists and Marco Belinelli with 13 points 5 rebounds. Leading scorers for the Portland Trail Blazers are Damian Lillard with 21 points 7 rebounds 6 assists, C.J. McCollum with 18 points and Mason Plumlee with 8 points 10 rebounds. Charlotte Hornets (21-21) play at home Friday against Toronto Raptors.