Walker scores 32, Hornets rout Raptors 113-78

“We have been hearing about how we haven’t been playing well against the top teams, which is obviously true, so we wanted to come out with great intensity right from opening jump,” Walker said. “We did that.”

Walker, who came in averaging 23 points and looking to earn his first All-Star selection, scored 16 points in the pivotal third quarter, including a four-point play to close the quarter as the Hornets outscored the Raptors 33-15 to build a 25-point lead.

Walker didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter after the Hornets stretched their lead to more than 30. The 6-foot-1 point guard also finished with eight assists.

“He came out and set the tone for them offensively with his speed and quickness, attacking the rim,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “We have to have some resistance. We were trying to trap him and we can’t allow him to go around our trap.”

Hornets coach Steve Clifford called it his team’s best game from start to finish.

Kyle Lowry had 24 points and DeMar DeRozan added 23 points for the Raptors, who have lost two straight.

The Hornets held the Raptors to 33 per cent shooting and limited them to a season-low 78 points.

Charlotte (22-21) came out strong with Walker effectively running the pick-and-roll with Cody Zeller. Walker scored 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first half and had four rebounds and three assists.

The Hornets have won eight of their last nine at home, with the only loss coming against the Cavaliers.

TIP-INS

Raptors: Held to 18 points on 31 per cent (7 of 22) shooting in first quarter. … Lowry picked up a technical foul in the first half for arguing a call. Lowry was upset earlier in the game when he took a shot the mouth and thought he should have gotten a foul called but didn’t. … Jared Sullinger was assessed a flagrant 1 foul in the fourth quarter after knocking over Nic Batum on the way to the basket.

Hornets: Walker has scored at least 20 points in 30 of Charlotte’s 43 games this season. It was Walker’s seventh 30-point outing of the season. … Marvin Williams has made a 3-pointer in 17 straight games. … The Hornets are 15-1 when holding opponents under 100 points.

LOOKING AHEAD

Clifford said it’s important the Hornets immediately put the win behind them and turn their focus to Brooklyn.

“We have a team coming in tomorrow night that put 120 on us the last time we played them,” Clifford said. “It will be one of those nights that determine, you know, what kind of team we’re going to be. We’ve got to find a way to come back with the same concentration level and same attention to detail.”

FRANK THE TANK

Frank Kaminsky had a solid night off the bench for the second straight game, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

“Again, when those guys off the bench came in tonight they sustained the play,” Clifford said. “If you’re going to be good. last year our big strength was our depth. We need everybody to play well and that’s what we’re getting right now.”

SHOOTING STRUGGLES

Casey said with his team having a tough week shooting the ball — they lost the 76ers earlier in the week — it’s time to rely on the defence to carry them.

“That’s when your defence has to pick back up,” Casey said. “Your defence has to carry you until your offence comes back around. You go through that during the season. The most important thing is we have to stay together, stay positive.”

UP NEXT

Raptors: Travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Sunday.

Hornets: Will play tail end of a back-to-back at home Saturday night against Brooklyn.

Steve Reed, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Walker scores 32, Hornets rout Raptors 113-78

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