The Toronto Raptors are out of the playoff image, however there’s a feeling of optimism concerning the future as they full their residence schedule Wednesday night time in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic mentioned he’s impressed by the gamers’ method and vitality in what has been a studying season.
“That is what you wish to see,” he mentioned Tuesday. “You wish to see guys invested and dealing exhausting … nearly like specializing in subsequent season.”
The Raptors (29-50) are coming off a 120-109 street win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday that ended a three-game dropping streak. Earlier than the skid, they’d gained 4 in a row.
One of many causes for Toronto’s optimism is the play of such rookies as Jamal Shead, who had a career-best 12 assists on Sunday. One other rookie, Jonathan Mogbo, matched his profession bests with 17 factors and 11 rebounds whereas setting a profession excessive with seven assists in opposition to the Nets.
“These guys are very coachable, they usually preserve one another accountable,” Rajakovic mentioned. “And when you might have that, then you might have excellent staff chemistry.”
“We have some canines on this staff with these younger guys,” mentioned Scottie Barnes, who didn’t play on Sunday due to a nagging hand damage. “These guys are superb, and they’ll be integral to our (future).”
Barnes participated in observe on Tuesday, and Rajakovic mentioned the damage has improved. Whether or not Barnes performs in opposition to the Hornets shall be decided on Wednesday.
RJ Barrett, who scored 13 factors on Sunday, mentioned there’s a totally different feeling on the staff this season in comparison with a 12 months in the past.
“This 12 months we made a step ahead in what we’re constructing right here,” Barrett mentioned. “We have some good items with these youthful guys coming in. … The staff morale, the whole lot is on a excessive proper now for us. We all know what we’re constructing towards, so all people feels good proper now.”
The Raptors and Hornets (19-60) cut up their first two conferences this season.
The Hornets are coming off a 124-100 residence loss on Tuesday to the Memphis Grizzlies and have dropped 9 of their previous 10 video games.
Charlotte will come to Toronto on a downer. The Hornets’ KJ Simpson was ejected from the sport on Tuesday when he was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul late within the first half. Simpson inadvertently upended Jaylen Wells of the Grizzlies on a dunk try. Wells, who was taken off the court docket on a stretcher due to a doable head damage, suffered a damaged proper wrist.
“Arduous to witness one thing like that,” Hornets coach Charles Lee mentioned. “Within the warmth of the sport, simply actually making an attempt to inform the fellows clearly, ‘Let’s preserve him in our ideas and our prayers.’ I feel loads of guys walked over and both patted him on the butt or went over to the coach and mentioned one thing to the coach about how they apologize. I did the identical factor, as a result of we do not play soiled.”
The Hornets fell behind 33-18 after the primary quarter once they dedicated seven turnovers resulting in 13 Memphis factors. Charlotte completed with 15 turnovers resulting in 25 factors.
Miles Bridges shot 4-for-13 from the sphere, however his 14 factors had been sufficient to steer the Hornets in scoring on Tuesday.
The Raptors defeated the Hornets 108-97 in the latest assembly between the groups on March 28 at Toronto. The Raptors are vying for his or her sixth consecutive season sequence win in opposition to the Hornets.
–Area Degree Media
