Immanuel Quickley had 22 points (10 in the first quarter) and 11 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Charlotte Hornets 111-106.
Quickley’s 2 free throws put the Raptors ahead for good with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The Hornets got within 108-106 on Brandon Miller’s cutting layup with 18 seconds to play, but Gary Trent Jr. answered with a free throw, and the Hornets got no closer. They had the ball down 3 with 16 seconds left, but Trent stole the ball from Vasilije Micic. A 3-pointer would have tied the game.
During clutch time, the Raptors outscored the Hornets 9-8. Quickley scored 6 of the Raptors’ 9 at the line, 6 for 6.
RJ Barrett had 23 points (14 in the paint) and 8 rebounds on 10 for 15 shooting.
For the Hornets, Miller had 26 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, and Miles Bridges added 20 points and 9 rebounds.
The Raptors shot 46.2% from the field and 34.2% from 3 to the Hornets’ 46.7% and 29.6%. The Hornets’ starters were outscored 44-33 in 17 minutes together.