Hornets Buzz Past Raptors in Thrilling Home Triumph

In a highly anticipated Wednesday night showdown, the Charlotte Hornets claimed their first home victory of the season, overpowering the Toronto Raptors 138-133. Tre Mann shouldered a lion’s share of the scoring, delivering a powerful 27-point performance off the bench, while Nick Richards showcased his dual-threat ability with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Martin and Ball’s Stellar Contributions

Cody Martin etched a career milestone with a personal best of 25 points, while the Hornets’ star player, LaMelo Ball, chipped in with 19 points. The Hornets let a comfortable first-half lead of 23 points slip away but regained momentum with a decisive 12-0 sprint at the third quarter’s close.

Raptors’ Performance

The Raptors, despite missing Scottie Barnes, who suffers from an orbital fracture, saw RJ Barrett rack up 31 points. Gradey Dick also impressed, achieving a career-high 30 points, while Jakob Poeltl contributed with a double-double of 20 points and 16 rebounds. However, the Raptors’ offensive rhythm was disrupted in the opening quarter, leading to seven turnovers that the Hornets capitalized on for an early lead.

Hornets’ Bench Power

The Hornets’ bench played an instrumental role in the win, contributing a massive 72 points, 69 of which came from the trio of Mann, Martin, and Grant Williams, who added 17 points to the score.

Ball’s Decisive Moment

In a key moment of the game, with the Hornets leading by three, Ball skillfully navigated the left lane to score, extending the lead to a two-possession game with just 29 seconds remaining. A free throw competition ensued, which the Hornets managed to win, sealing their victory.

Impressive Shooting Performance

The triumvirate of Mann, Martin, and Williams demonstrated shooting efficiency, hitting a combined 67% (24 of 36) of their field goals.

What’s Next?

The Raptors will look to bounce back when they host the Lakers on Friday night, while the Hornets will aim to continue their winning streak in back-to-back games against the Celtics on Friday and Saturday night.