Raptors continue struggles, fall to Hornets

Toronto Raptors lost their fourth straight game in a 103-95 defeat by Charlotte Hornets in NBA action on Thursday evening.

Coming off a six-game road trip that ended with losses to Portland, Golden State and Phoenix, Toronto was unable to return home to regain the form that saw the team begin the season 22-6.

With Thursday's loss to Charlotte, Toronto falls to 24-11 on the season and have dropped five of their last seven games.

"I don't know if it's the lull of the season or coming back from a west coast trip, but we got to find seven or eight guys that are interested in competing at a high level," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey following the game. "We had two really good days of practice. For whatever reason we came out and started the game and the third quarter flat."

Casey is displeased with his team's effort on both ends, but is always a defence-first coach.

Toronto's defence has allowed the opponents to score over 100-points in each of the team's last five losses, allowing an average of 116 points during the span.

The century mark is the magic number for Toronto's defence, as Toronto holds a perfect 12-0 record when holding opponents under 100 points and 12-11 when they allow 100 or more points.

Casey is contemplating a lineup change to rejuvenate his squad.

"For whatever reason we are not getting that energy at the start of the game and at the third quarter and those were backbreakers," said Casey. "Whether it's a lineup change or whatever it is, we have to find answer for that."

The answer Casey is looking for could be All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who has been sidelined with groin injury since Nov. 29.

DeRozan is expected to return within the next week during the team's current six-game home stand. Toronto is 11-3 with DeRozan in the lineup and 11-8 without him. Endi