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DeRozan, Raptors rout Hornets

Apr 9, 2015 - 3:32 AM Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - DeMar DeRozan had 18 points and seven assists as the Toronto Raptors routed the Charlotte Hornets 92-74 on Wednesday night.

Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez netted 16 points apiece and Tyler Hansbrough added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won four of their last six games.

"I thought our intensity started with Tyler Hansbrough, who was outstanding," Vasquez said.

Toronto and Chicago are now tied for the third seed in the Eastern Conference following the Bulls' loss to Orlando.

Kemba Walker poured in 15 points to lead Charlotte, which has dropped three of its last four games.

"We just had no juice," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.

The Hornets moved three games behind Boston for the East's final playoff spot.

The game was tied 15-15 late in the first quarter before the Raptors seized control of the contest with a 14-4 run that bled into the second.

Patrick Patterson jumpstarted the surge with a 3-pointer and DeRozan sunk a pair of foul shots with less than a second left on the first quarter clock, staking the Raptors to a 20-15 cushion. Williams capped the swing with a triple for a 29-19 spread.

Toronto extended its margin to 47-31 at the break and 69-45 after three before cruising to the easy win in the fourth.

Game Notes

Toronto had dropped its last six meetings against the Hornets, including the two prior ones this season ... The Raptors led by as many as 29 ... Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry, who has missed nine of 10 games since March 20 with a back injury, sat out again.