Toronto Takes First of Two in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Despite being down a number of guys, there was no shortage of offense for the Charlotte Hornets during Sunday afternoon's game against the Toronto Raptors. The defense, however, was non-existent in the 128-108 loss.

Toronto got out to a red-hot start on the offensive end, making 71% of their shots in the opening quarter. Fred VanVleet went a perfect 4/4 from the field and dished out six assists, making him responsible for over half of the team's 35 points. Charlotte had a couple of miscommunication errors which led to getting caught up on ball screens and leaving guys open in the corner. The Raptors took advantage of some mismatches underneath, pouring in 42 points inside the paint in the first half.

Mark Williams had a double-double by halftime with 10 points and 10 rebounds and while doing so, he set a new career-high for offensive rebounds in a half (7). Svi Mykhailiuk had it going offensively with 16 points, falling two shy of setting a new personal best for most points in a half. He went 6/11 from the floor, including 4/7 from downtown.

Toronto's starting five, minus Scottie Barnes, shot a combined 68% which helped them to a comfortable 67-52 lead at the half.

The Hornets had no answer for Toronto's inside game, but they were able to keep the game within reach due to a big third quarter from James Bouknight, who chipped in 13 points, nine of which came by way of the three-ball. Mykhailiuk added eight more points to his total and with his first basket in the fourth, he set a new career-high with 26 points.

Charlotte did have the lead cut to ten in the early parts of the fourth but that's as close as they would get.

The Hornets and Raptors will be back at it again on Tuesday night inside Spectrum Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.

CUMULATIVE TEAM STATS

1ST: TOR 35-25

TOR: 15/21 FG | 3/3 3FG | 2/2 FT | 8 REB | 9 AST | 3 TO | 22 PIP

CHA: 10/25 FG | 3/8 3FG | 2/2 FT | 11 REB | 6 AST | 5 TO | 12 PIP

2ND: TOR 67-52

TOR: 29/47 FG | 7/13 3FG | 2/2 FT | 16 REB | 20 AST | 5 TO | 42 PIP

CHA: 21/49 FG | 7/15 3FG | 3/4 FT | 24 REB | 11 AST | 9 TO | 22 PIP

3RD: TOR 101-89

TOR: 44/79 FG | 8/23 3FG | 5/5 FT | 27 REB | 31 AST | 5 TO | 70 PIP

CHA: 34/66 FG | 13/25 3FG | 8/10 FT | 31 REB | 19 AST | 14 TO | 34 PIP

4TH: TOR wins 128-108

TOR: 56/104 FG | 8/28 3FG | 8/8 FT | 45 REB | 38 AST | 8 TO | 90 PIP

CHA: 42/85 FG | 15/31 3FG | 9/13 FT | 37 REB | 26 AST | 18 TO | 44 PIP

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