Eastern Conference giants Toronto Raptors (5-2) and Charlotte Hornets (6-1) are set to clash at the Spectrum Center on Nov. 11, Friday as the 2016-2017 NBA season continues.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Toronto is at the fourth place right now in the Eastern Conference standings while Charlotte shares first place with reigning champions Cleveland Cavaliers as both teams started the new season on the right foot.
The Raptors have won four of their last five matches and are coming off an impressive 112-102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday, as per SB Nation.
DeMar DeRozan, who is currently the NBA's leading scorer with 34.1 per game prior to the match, continued his stellar play this season as he led Toronto with 37 points on 13-for-22 field goal shooting and an 11-for-15 stint in the foul line.
Backcourt-mate Kyle Lowry had 19 points, nine rebounds, and 13 assists in an almost triple-double performance. DeMarre Carroll was the only other starter in double figures with 10 points and four boards.
Off the bench, two players scored in double digits, namely Patrick Patterson and Lucas Nogueira with 13 and 10 points respectively. The two have combined for 10 rebounds as well.
Meanwhile, the Hornets have surprised a lot of basketball fans as they won six of their first seven games this season. The team is currently on a four-game winning run after losing to the Boston Celtics, their only loss so far, during their third game.
Charlotte is coming off a 104-98 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday also at their home court of Spectrum Center, the Deseret News reported.
Kemba Walker had 21 points, five rebounds, six assists, and four steals in a remarkable all-around game while Marvin Williams contributed 19 points and eight boards. Cody Zeller was the third starter who scored in double digits with 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
However, it was the performance of the bench players that allowed the team to pull off the win. Marco Belinelli, Frank Kaminsky III, and Spencer Hawes each scored in double figures with 13, 13, and 11 respectively to help head coach Steve Clifford's squad extend their winning streak.
Prediction
The Raptors have won four straight road games while the Hornets have won seven of their last eight home matches. It would be a close call, but Toronto is a slight favorite to pull off a second straight win.