Pascal Siakam scores 22, leads Raptors over Hornets 120-100

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 22points and the Toronto Raptors rallied from four 9-point firstquarter deficits to roll past the Charlotte Hornets 120-100 onTuesday night.

Toronto has won five of its last six games, improving to 40-39and solidifying their position for the NBA play-in tournament.

The Raptors scored 19 straight points during a stretch late inthe third quarter and into the fourth quarter after Charlotte hadgotten within 80-75 with 3:49 left in the third quarter.

Siakam also had 14 rebounds and was joined in double digits byChris Boucher (21 points), Will Barton (20), O.G. Anunoby (17),Fred VanVleet (16), Precious Achiuwa (12) and Jakob Poeltl(10).

The Hornets were led by Bryce McGowens’ career-high 20 points.Nick Richards added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Svi Mykhailiukhad 17 points, JT Thor 13 and Theo Maledon 13.

The Hornets (26-54) are without eight players due to injury:LaMelo Ball (right ankle surgery), Gordon Hayward (left thumbsprain), Kelly Oubre Jr. (left shoulder sprain), Terry Rozier(right foot injury), Dennis Smith Jr. (right toe sprain), P.J.Washington (right foot sprain) and Mark Williams (left anklesprain).

Toronto’s 36-20 second quarter was sparked by reserves Boucherand Barton, who combined for nine 3-pointers.

“We weren’t that sluggish,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse said of theearly Charlotte leads. “They were just really fast and we weren’tas fast as they were. I just kept saying, ‘They’re really moving’so we had to pick it up a half-notch. We switched to zone and got abunch of stops in a row and obviously got the ... 3-ball going.Fifteen out of 33 is a really good night on 3-pointers.”

Boucher said Barton, who converted six of his nine 3-pointers,really helped the Raptors spread the floor in its victory.

“We need that off the bench,” Boucher said of Barton’sproduction. “The more guys we have that can do things will help.They got Will here for a reason. They know what he can do and todaywas just a peek at what he can do.”

Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said Toronto’s defense thatcreated 22 points off 18 turnovers was a huge difference-maker.

“Ball pressure and passing lane pressure led to live-ballturnovers,” Clifford said. “It was 22-10 in points offturnovers.”

BOUCHER’S BIG WEEK

Boucher’s big effort came one day after he announced ascholarship program to help his community and young people growingup like he did.

According to Monday’s Toronto Star, Boucher grew up in abjectpoverty, was once homeless, dropped out of school and washed dishesat restaurants.

Now a key to the Raptors’ second unit who has a three-year, $35million contract, the Star says he is using “an undisclosed amountof money disbursed through his SlimmDuck Foundation” to launch ascholarship program that will offer financial support to fivestudents of Caribbean descent. For each of the next five years, ascholarship will be offered to a student with financial struggleswho wants to pursue a university degree.

“It’s something I wanted to do for a long time,” Boucher saidafter Tuesday’s game. “It was just finding the opportunity. I wantto help the people that struggle when they move to Canada.”

TIP-INS

Raptors: Barton is one of the more veteran players on theRaptors’ roster with 11 years of NBA experience, which includes 29postseason games with nine starts. But he’s played in 12 games withToronto since being signed as free agent on Feb. 28 and he hadmissed the previous three games with a left ankle sprain. “I guesswe’re going to have to figure that out in the next four games thatwe have left,” Toronto coach Nick Nurse said of Barton’s role.

Hornets: Clifford started his 26th different starting lineupTuesday. It’s the third-most lineups in franchise, behind the2005-06 and 2006-07 Charlotte Bobcats, which used 28 differentstarters.

UP NEXT

Raptors: At Boston on Wednesday.

Hornets: Host Houston on Friday.