The Charlotte Hornets have stepped smartly into the season, with a sparkling record which loses a few bubbles when examined more closely. They have done what they should do against punching bags like Brooklyn and Philadelphia, but dropped their only bragging-rights game against the Celtics.
The Toronto Raptors are fresh off a defeat of the OKC Thunder, despite playing shorthanded. But Charlotte has always proven a thorn in the side of Toronto; they lead the lifetime series 40-29, even though they have floored some hideous teams over the years. In the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, Charlotte managed a 7-59 record, for a crisp .