Pro Sports

Raptors overcome sluggish start to beat Hornets 129-111

Posted December 20, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Toronto Raptors' OG Anunoby, right, steals the ball from Charlotte Hornets' Dwight Howard, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - DeMar DeRozan scored 18 of his 28 points after halftime and the Toronto Raptors overcame a slow start to beat the Charlotte Hornets 129-111 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win.

Serge Ibaka scored 15 of his 24 points in the first half for Toronto, and OG Anunoby shot 6 of 7 from beyond the arc while scoring 20 points. Toronto has won 10 of 11 and is in third place in the Eastern Conference.

The Hornets got a career-best 32 points from reserve Jeremy Lamb but lost for the 11th time in 13 games.

Charlotte closed the first quarter on a 14-2 run to lead 26-22, but the game turned with a 12-2 Toronto run early in the second quarter. The Raptors scored 41 points in the second period en route to a 63-47 halftime lead. Toronto had 10 assists and hit 15 of 23 shots, including 6 of 9 3-pointers, in the quarter.

The Raptors connected on 8 of 13 3-point shots in the first half. They finished 16 of 33.

Lamb piled up points on 11-of-17 shooting. He scored 19 points in 15 first-half minutes. Lamb's previous high of 27 came Nov. 3 at San Antonio.

Dwight Howard and Kemba Walker scored 15 points apiece, with Howard adding nine rebounds. Johnny O'Bryant III added 10 points for Charlotte.

The Raptors lead peaked at 25. Toronto's Pascal Siakam scored 12 points and Kyle Lowry added 11.

The loss is Charlotte's worst since a 106-86 setback against San Antonio Nov. 25.

TIP INS:

Raptors: C.J. Miles (dental procedure) and Lucas Noguiera (right calf) missed the game. ... The Raptors are 32-42 against Charlotte, including 12-25 on the road. Toronto won the teams' first meeting of the year 126-113 in Toronto on Nov. 29.

Hornets: Cody Zeller (left knee surgery) and Treveon Graham (lower back spasms) did not play. Marcus Paige (transferred to G League) was unavailable. ... Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a right shoulder strain on a collision at the basket in the third quarter and did not return. ... Howard, a 52.6 percent foul shooter, received an ovation for sinking two free throws in the first quarter. He finished the night 5 of 6 at the line. ... Nicolas Batum was held scoreless in 26 minutes and attempted one shot.

UP NEXT:

Raptors: Visit Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Hornets: at Milwaukee on Friday night.

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More NBA basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Toronto Raptors' Norman Powell (24) drives past Charlotte Hornets' Malik Monk, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Frank Kaminsky, right, and Toronto Raptors' Jakob Poeltl, left, struggle for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lamb (3) dunks past Toronto Raptors' Delon Wright (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas (17) goes up to catch a pass as Charlotte Hornets' Dwight Howard (12) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

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