Gameday: Raptors @ Hornets, Feb. 25

And we’re back.

After the All-Star break, one of the hottest teams in the league attempts to get right back into the swing of things. This team, of course: The Toronto Raptors.

They haven’t had any trouble dispatching the Hornets this year, and with a (expectedly) healthy lineup they should be able to put another W in the corresponding column. They’re 2-0 vs. them this year, and have done so largely on the back of Pascal Siakam’s offensive brilliance. He’s averaging 24-10-10 against them on nearly 60-percent from the field. PJ Washington, Miles Bridges, Kelly Oubre Jr. defending him – it hasn’t mattered. He’s twirling masterpieces while navigating doubles as a scorer and playmaker. Here’s hoping he maintains the momentum that carried him into the break.

As always against the Hornets, you want to limit as many of their run-out/transition opportunities as possible. LaMelo Ball is truly one of the league’s most dangerous open floor decision makers and his improvisational bent can break the best teams when he’s running the floor. Slowing his game down, and by proxy the Hornets, will be a boon for the Raptors defense. They’ll have lots of defensive options for Ball if their halfcourt offense slows to a crawl, so the Raptors have to strike the proper balance between their thirst for extra possessions on the offensive end, and limiting the Hornets on the break.

Their is a bit of a difference in team construction for the Hornets, though. Montrezl Harrell has come over from the Wizards and he’s been logging 30+ minutes a game since his arrival. He’s been plugging in for a very tidy 18 & 8 for the ‘Buzz City’ and he might present a little bit of second chance punch for the Hornets.

It should be interesting to see who gets more minutes between Birch and Achiuwa in today’s contest. Achiuwa has definitely had the better season to this point, and absolutely reaches higher high’s, but Birch has been a bit more dependable as of late and the Raptors have valued that.

In this post-All-Star stretch it’s imperative that the Raptors win the games against teams where they have talent and stylistic advantages. The Eastern Conference is tight, and they’re opening this run up against a lot of the teams who occupy a similar spot in the standings as them.

Let’s get ready to rumble.