(Charlotte) Every Raptors starter contributed at least 15 points and Toronto posted their sixth straight win on Monday, this time 116-101 in Charlotte at the expense of the Hornets.
Posted at 10:28 p.m.
Last week’s MVP in the East, Pascal Siakam had 24 points, as did Gary Trent.
Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby had 20 points each, while Scottie Barnes added 15 points.
Siakam also shone with 11 rebounds and eight assists; Anunoby had nine rebounds and three steals.
The visitors took control quite early and managed the few threats from the opponent well. Toronto led 56-41 at the half.
In the third quarter, Charlotte cut the margin to 57-50, but the Raptors righted the ship thanks to three-pointers from Siakam, Trent and Barnes. A dunk from Anunoby then took the cushion to 14 points.
In the final quarter, VanVleet continued the shots, hitting the target from 27 feet, after which the Raptors led 92-80, with 6:50 to go. The rest of the match looked pretty much the same.
Sixth in the East, the Raptors (29-23) will replay Wednesday and Thursday in Oklahoma City and Houston.
Miles Bridges had 25 points for the Hornets, who have lost their last five games. Terry Rozier had 20 points, LaMelo Ball 15.
Earlier Monday, Siakam was named NBA East player of the week.
The 27-year-old Cameroonian helped his side stay unbeaten in four games (in five nights).
Siakam averaged 24.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.
Additionally, he averaged 40.1 minutes during the week.
Friday, against the Hawks, Siakam collected 33 points in a 125-114 victory for his team.
For the whole season, Siakam posted 21.4 points per game, very close to the leader of the Raptors at this level, Fred VanVleet (21.6).
Siakam leads the team with 8.6 rebounds, on average.
Toronto drafted him 27and altogether in 2016.
Ball was named to the All-Star Game earlier Monday.
He and Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs will replace injured Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.
The annual classic will take place on February 20, in Cleveland.
Ball and Murray will be there for the first time in their career.
Ball leads the Hornets with 7.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He was the rookie of the year last season.
This season, Ball sits second in the club with 19.6 points per game (Bridges scored 19.7).
Durant has missed the Nets’ last 12 games with a left knee injury.
Green has missed the Warriors’ last 14 games with back pain.
Durant and LeBron James are the captains for the All-Star Game.
They’ll announce their picks on Thursday.
VanVleet will represent the Raptors at the game.
Barnes and Precious Achiuwa, also Raptors, will take part in the Rising Stars mini-tournament on February 18.