Raptors Look to Continue Hot Streak Against Hornets

Raptors vs Hornets: A Tale of Two Teams Heading in Opposite Directions

The Toronto Raptors return home to Scotiabank Arena on Monday, November 17, looking to extend their winning streak when they host the Charlotte Hornets. This Eastern Conference matchup promises to be an interesting one, with the Raptors riding high on a three-game winning streak, while the Hornets aim to snap their recent skid despite being hampered by injuries.

Raptors Building Momentum on Road Trip

The Raptors have been one of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference this season, and their recent 4-1 road trip has solidified their position as legitimate contenders. Currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, the Raptors have benefited from a top-10 offense and an above-average defense that are complementing each other exceptionally well.

"The team has won three straight after beating the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers on the road," notes the preview from Sports Illustrated. "The only teams ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings are the Atlanta Hawks, the aforementioned Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons, who are the only squad with double-digit wins in the conference."

With a victory against the Hornets, the Raptors could potentially join the Pistons as the only teams with double-digit wins in the conference, a significant milestone this early in the season.

Hornets Fight Through Adversity

Despite their record, the Hornets have shown flashes of competitiveness that suggest they could be a dangerous team once they get healthy. Charlotte recently took Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks to overtime in the NBA Cup and held the high-powered Oklahoma City Thunder to just 109 points in another contest.

"The Hornets will be coming to Toronto hoping to snap their losing streak and the Raptors will have to do their best to try and prevent their steal," the preview continues. "The Raptors should win the game based on their recent success, but they cannot get too cocky, otherwise they could be hit with a very brutal reality check."

Injury Report Could Play Major Role

The Hornets will be significantly shorthanded for this matchup, with several key players listed as out:

• SG Liam McNeeley (OUT - illness)
• PF Grant Williams (OUT - knee)
• SG Josh Green (OUT - shoulder)
• SF Brandon Miller (OUT - shoulder)

The Raptors aren't completely healthy either, but have more depth available:

• SG Ochai Agbaji (QUESTIONABLE - back)
• PF Collin Murray-Boyles (QUESTIONABLE - illness)

The absence of key Hornets players like Brandon Miller and Grant Williams could significantly impact Charlotte's ability to defend and rebound, potentially giving the Raptors an advantage in the frontcourt.

Where to Catch the Action

Fans eager to watch this Eastern Conference showdown have several options:

• TV Channel: TSN Sports
• Streaming: NBA App, FuboTV (free trial available), Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
• Radio: TSN 1050, Sportsnet 590 The Fan, SiriusXM NBA Radio

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Key Matchup to Watch

With the Hornets depleted in the backcourt and frontcourt, the matchup to watch will be how LaMelo Ball performs against Toronto's defensive schemes. Ball will likely face increased defensive pressure, and his ability to create opportunities for himself and his remaining teammates could determine whether the Hornets can keep this game close.

For the Raptors, maintaining their defensive intensity and capitalizing on the Hornets' depleted roster will be crucial. Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam will need to dominate the paint, while the backcourt must contain Ball's playmaking ability.

As the Raptors look to continue their winning ways and climb the Eastern Conference standings, this matchup against the injury-riddled Hornets presents a golden opportunity to build on their recent success.