Raptors Defeat Hornets 108-97 for Third Straight Win

The Toronto Raptors secured their third consecutive victory with a 108-97 win over the Charlotte Hornets, led by Jakob Poeltl's impressive 24 points and 12 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley contributed 19 points and nine assists, while Scottie Barnes added 18 points, helping Toronto maintain control after a shaky second quarter. The Raptors initially built a strong lead but allowed the Hornets to narrow the gap at halftime. However, a pivotal 15-0 run in the third quarter helped Toronto pull away for good, despite the Hornets' Mark Williams achieving an impressive double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. The game marked a difficult day for Charlotte, as star guard LaMelo Ball was announced to miss the remainder of the season due to injuries. Toronto's winning streak has come against teams with underwhelming records, with another opportunity to extend it against the Philadelphia 76ers looming.