Charlotte Hornets (13-24) at Toronto Raptors (24-10): 3 keys to victory

Nov 6, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward center Bismack Biyombo (0) drives to the basket as he is defended by Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 92-90. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The road trip from the Dark Side ended as we all feared it would. The Toronto Raptors are in the throes of their worst slump of the season, having dropped their last three. The fact those defeats came at the hands of excellent Western Conference teams provides not a lick of solace.

Our guys are back in frosty Toronto, and ready to commence a six-game home stand against weak competition (with the significant exception of the Atlanta Hawks, who have gone crazy), starting with the exceptionally disappointing Charlotte Hornets. Michael Jordan’s squad was expected to challenge at the top of the Eastern Conference. Instead, they are going to need an win-filled 2015 in order to sneak into the playoffs.

Their biggest bellyflop has been the performance (or lack thereof) of free agent Lance Stephenson. An unheralded second-round draft pick of the Indiana Pacers, Lance hustled his way into their starting roster. Since signing for big money, Lance has shot his 3-balls at a hapless 15.1% rate in North Carolina, after completing ’13-’14 at 35.2%. I could go on, but suffice it to say his numbers are those of a rotation player, not someone making $9M. His failure has led to speculation that Charlotte will try to trade him – but who would take him? The Knicks are rumoured to be trying to dump Andrea Bargnani – maybe the teams can swap disasters? Both players are currently shelved with injuries, so such a deal might have no impact whatsoever.

Anyway, back on topic. Al Jefferson, an offensive monster in the low blocks, is also out with injury, so Charlotte has patched together a funky starting lineup which has managed three straight wins. Bismack Biyombo, the world’s longest-serving project player, tries to play centre. He’s small for the spot, but there’s no one else, and he’s a willing defender and rebounder. His offensive game can’t be found with a microscope. Youthful Cody Zeller might be rounding into form as a traditional banger at power forward. Shooting guard Gerald Henderson has always struck me as a player who should be better – one of those “next season” guys. However, it’s his sixth year. How long do Hornet fans have to wait? Point guard Kemba Walker has been terrific virtually since the moment he stepped on an NBA court. With Jefferson out, he’s their best player by miles and miles. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the #2 pick in the draft in 2012, but has not lived up to expectations. I think he’ll stick as a useful rotation player, though finding minutes for a small forward with a 16.7% career rate from beyond the arc may be difficult. He’s an athlete, not a ballplayer, at least for now.

Charlotte’s bench includes perennial underachiever Marvin Williams, highly regarded rookie Noah Vonleh, and journeymen Jason Maxiell and Jenero Pargo. Brian Roberts provides some spark.

As you’ve probably guessed by this point, Charlotte isn’t exactly Golden State East when it comes to scoring. They rank #25 in team scoring. The Raptors can win this game if we…:

(1)…get scoring from our big men. Jonas Valanciunas can shoot over Biyombo, either with a hook or a turnaround jumper. Amir Johnson should be able to use his baby hook over Zeller. If we get them in foul trouble, they don’t have much help.

(2)…keep Walker under wraps. He’s their only player who’s a decent bet to explode on any given night.

(3)…don’t let them into the paint. The Hornets’ 22.8% rate from beyond the arc leads only the Philadelphia high schoolers.

This may be a trap game (i.e., first home game following a lengthy road trip), but that should be moot. The Raps need to view this game as a slump-ender instead. Toronto 106-Charlotte 90.