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Previewing the Toronto Raptors five biggest games of March

By Go Paolo

TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 19 - Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey talks things over with Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) as the Toronto Raptors play the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. November 19, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- NOVEMBER 19 - Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey talks things over with Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) as the Toronto Raptors play the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. November 19, 2017. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

March 24 – Toronto Raptors vs Charlotte Hornets

Matchup Rating: 3/5

Toronto hosts the Hornets for the second time this season. When they first met in October, Toronto destroyed Charlotte 127-106. This was ages ago and Toronto is now a different team. As are the Hornets, sort of.

Charlotte is hanging on to a playoff spot with a 28-33 record. They didn’t make any major roster changes, despite rumors surrounding the Toronto Raptors’ own Marc Gasol. Star player Kemba Walker cooled off since his blistering start but is still putting up 25.2 points and 5.6 assists on 43 percent from the field.

Toronto has won five in a row versus the Hornets. They swept them last season (4-0) with all but one victory coming by double digits. This is a team the Raptors match up well against and they would be the easiest first-round matchup.

Charlotte is a decent offensive team (14th in offensive rating at 110.3), but they have serious defensive flaws (21st in defensive rating at 111.0), aren’t good at rebounding (22nd at 44.4), and are one of the worst road teams in the league (8-21). Chicago has won more road games (9) than the Hornets.

In what could possible be a first round matchup, the Raptors can send a message to Charlotte before seasons end. The Hornets surely know they’re not in the same class as the Raptors, but it’s always nice to prove it one more time while on the court.

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