Three key takeaways from the Toronto Raptors win against the Charlotte Hornets
By Nickeem Khan
#2: Free throw shooting needs improvement
Other than an uncontested layup, free throws are essentially the easiest shot in basketball. Opportunities at the charity stripe aren’t effortless, which means you have to make it count when you’re able to make your way there.
In the Raptors’ first matchup with the Hornets, Toronto shot 64.3 percent from the free-throw line, and followed it up by shooting 73.9 percent on Monday night. Although there is a significant improvement, that is still not up to the standards needed for a team with championship aspirations.
Missing ten free throws won’t hurt that much against the Charlotte Hornets, but against teams like the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks, missing free throws will dig a huge hole. It’s only the preseason, so there’s still plenty of time to get that issue sorted out. However, the Raptors need to make that a point of emphasis in order to be among the top teams in the NBA this season.