Post by : Maya Rahman

In a nail-biting match on Monday night, the Toronto Raptors triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 110-108. The action was intense throughout, culminating in RJ Barrett's pivotal layup with just 18 seconds remaining, which gave the Raptors the lead and ultimately secured their victory.

Barrett's final basket was the highlight of his night, contributing 16 total points and electrifying the crowd as he capped off a tense game.

This win marks the Raptors' fourth consecutive victory and their eighth in the past nine games, showcasing their escalating confidence as multiple players consistently performed well.

Leading the charge for Toronto was Brandon Ingram, who scored 27 points, demonstrating both skill and leadership. Immanuel Quickley was also instrumental, contributing 15 points and securing 10 rebounds for a solid all-around performance.

Scottie Barnes added 16 points and was significant on defense, making a crucial block in the dying seconds of the match, preventing Charlotte from tying the game and sealing a win for Toronto.

Jakob Poeltl supported the team with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Gradey Dick provided an additional 10 points off the bench.

On the opposing side, the Hornets matched the Raptors in competitiveness, with Kon Knueppel emerging as their top scorer at 24 points, keeping the game close throughout.

Miles Bridges contributed 22 points, while LaMelo Ball, despite suffering a nose injury early in the game, managed to score 20 points, showcasing his resilience.

Collin Sexton also played a crucial role, delivering 17 points, including a significant three-pointer as the game progressed. Ryan Kalkbrenner added seven points and contributed 10 rebounds, bolstering Charlotte's presence in the paint.

The Hornets showcased their determination by briefly taking the lead late in the game, with Moussa Diabate blocking a shot followed by a dunk that gave Charlotte a 105-104 advantage with just over two minutes to go.

Toronto had a strong start, leading 28-24 at the end of the first quarter. Despite Charlotte tying it at 28 in the second quarter, the Raptors capitalized on turnovers, going on a crucial 10-0 run to gain momentum.

Charlotte fought back with a late 7-0 run in the second quarter, finishing the half trailing 57-52.

At the start of the second half, Knueppel helped bring Charlotte back to parity. However, a strong response from Toronto allowed them to regain a 85-83 lead by the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was packed with excitement, including a late three-pointer from Sexton that pulled the Hornets within one point.

However, with under a minute remaining, a powerful dunk from Barnes tied the game before Barrett scored the winning layup. The Hornets had one final shot but were thwarted by Barnes' block as the clock ran out.

This dramatic victory underscores the Raptors' resilience and their ability to perform under pressure, continuing their impressive run.

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