Hornets 98 - 91 Raptors
Final
  for this game

Bobcats aim to halt franchise-record skid in Toronto

Feb 17, 2012 - 3:34 PM (Sports Network) - The Charlotte Bobcats take another crack at snapping their franchise-record 16-game losing streak this evening when they go north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Charlotte, which hasn't won since beating Golden State back on January 14, continued to struggle on Wednesday, as they dropped a 102-90 decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kemba Walker paced Charlotte with 21 points, while Corey Maggette netted 18 in their 10th straight road defeat.

"Some nights it's embarrassing, especially when we lose by a lot," Walker said. "No one likes to lose by that many points."

D.J. Augustin returned from a toe injury, playing for the first time in 12 games, but only managed nine points and four turnovers in 24 minutes. The team is still without Gerald Henderson, as he continues to nurse a strained right hamstring.

Charlotte, which is a miserable 1-15 away from home this season, is still 10 losses away from the Cleveland's NBA-record 26-game drought from last season.

Toronto, meanwhile, enters tonight's tilt having lost three in a row after a 113-106 setback to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

DeMar DeRozan paced the Raptors with 29 points and Jose Calderon added a double-double with 16 points and 11 assists as the Raptors have now lost eight of their last 10 contests.

Toronto's bench also chipped in 45 points in the loss.

"Our bench did a great job," coach Dwane Casey said. "Everyone that came in competed and played hard. Now, we have to find a closing group to close the game. And it goes back to being healthy."

Injuries have been a problem for the Raptors, who continue to play without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani. He has missed 18 of his last 20 because of a strained calf and will likely sit tonight. Also, Jerryd Bayless (ankle) and Linas Kleiza (knee) are questionable for tonight's affair.

Charlotte swept its four-game season series with the Raptors last season and has won four of its last six in Toronto.






Related News