Three key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors win against the Charlotte Hornets

The Toronto Raptors handle business in Charlotte, as they pick up another win against the Hornets.

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Charlotte Hornets in their second preseason game. The Raptors will be leaving Charlotte 2-0, after winning both exhibition matchups. Although the Raptors played the same team they faced on Saturday night, the game itself was different. Here’s a look at the three key takeaways from the Raptors’ win on Monday night.

#1: Minutes are going to be earned this season

Nick Nurse is going to have his work cut out for him this season. From the play of the Raptors, it was evident that there will not be a definitive rotation for fans to expect throughout the 2020-2021 NBA season.

There’s only one player with guaranteed minutes off the bench, and that’s Norman Powell, as the sixth man. The play of Malachi Flynn has propelled him into the conversation of possibly the 8th man off the bench. However, he has to battle with the likes of Terence Davis and Matt Thomas for minutes at the guard position.

Thomas didn’t perform at the level he did on Friday night, however, Nick Nurse has vocalized that he would like to utilize Matt Thomas more during the season. Patrick McCaw is also a player who is bound to get playtime throughout the year as well. Minutes at the guard position are going to be hard to come by, but it’s a good problem for Nurse and the Raptors coaching staff to deal with.

The position that was considered to be solidified, might not be as clear-cut as people paint it out to be. Chris Boucher still has to earn his minutes at the backup center position. If he performs the way he did in the second matchup against the Hornets, don’t be surprised to see Alex Len take those minutes.

Len provides versatility for Nick Nurse to work with depending on the matchup at the center position. Boucher is easily the favorite to secure that spot, but consistency is going to be huge throughout the season.