CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- DeMar DeRozan scored 18 points and the Toronto Raptors beat the Charlotte Hornets for the first time in seven games, 92-74 on Wednesday night.
Lou Williams and Greivis Vasquez each scored 16 points for Toronto, and Tyler Hansbrough added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Kemba Walker had 15 points for Charlotte. The Hornets are 11th in the Eastern Conference, three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot.
Mo Williams added 10 points for Charlotte, playing without three injured starters.
The Raptors took the lead for good at 15-13 on Hansbrough's two free throws with 4:31 left in the first quarter. Williams made a 3-pointer early in the second quarter to stretch the lead to double digits for the first time, 29-19, and it was 47-31 at the half.
Toronto led by 28 in the third quarter took a 69-45 advantage into the fourth.
The Hornets made just 17 of 60 field-goal attempts through the first three quarters for 28 per cent, including 3 of 13 from 3-point range. During that span, the Raptors were 24 of 61 from the field and 10 of 23 on 3s, with DeRozan and Lou Williams hitting three each.
TIP-INS
Raptors: Amir Johnson (right ankle sprain) and Kyle Lowry (back spasms) sat out.
Hornets: Lance Stephenson (right toe sprain) was ruled out before the game, joining previously injured teammates Al Jefferson (sore right new), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (left ankle sprain) and Cody Zeller (sore right shoulder) on the sideline.
UP NEXT
Raptors: At Orlando on Friday night.
Hornets: At Atlanta on Friday night.
