Raptors labour in the second half
This could easily be a chance to rant and rave about back-to-backs and why they should or shouldn’t exist (spoiler: they should not) but let’s just say that fatigue was definitely a factor for the Toronto Raptors as trudged their way through the second half against the Charlotte Hornets.
After going right down to the wire against the Portland Trail Blazers only one night earlier, the Raptors had to do it all over again against the Hornets the very next night, all with a depleted roster too. Credit to the Raptors for getting to that position, and for forcing the game into overtime, and then even more credit for going on to win the game.
It’s clear that fatigue really started to take over and the Raptors were mentally affected in another close game. After putting up a decent offensive output in the first half, scoring 60 points and shooting 49-percent from the field and just under 50-percent from three, the Raptors really struggled to get the ball moving and allowed the Hornets to step into a position to win the game.
The Raptors scored only 30 points in the second half and the offense that looked creative and fresh in the first half was a distant memory. Still, they did enough to pull back into the game after falling behind in the fourth quarter, and then take over in overtime.
Going through that much in two nights with a shorthanded roster is no easy feat, and the Raptors will happy to know that they have a few days to recuperate. Either way, it was all worth it in the end.