Raptors thump Hornets

TORONTO — While the Raptors ran their record to 4-0 and came close to a franchise record with 36 assists in their highest offensive output of the young season Monday, coach Nick Nurse pointed to his defence after a 127-106 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets.

“I think we created a lot (of offence) out of our defence tonight which I was probably more happy with,” he said.

Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points and Kyle Lowry added 16 points and 14 assists for his second straight double-double as the Raptors never trailed. Toronto, which led by as many as 25, was up by double figures the entire second half.

“They’re long, they’re physical and they’re athletic,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said of the Raptors. “It’s a very good defensive group. Bringing in two elite defenders like Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, you add that to their length, their athleticism, that’s going to be a heck of a defence all season.”

Leonard, continuing to shake off the rust from his injury-disrupted 2017-18 season in San Antonio, found his shooting range early and is now averaging 25.7 points through three games. “He’s still not back to where he normally is, but he’s getting glimpses of it,” said Green, his former teammate at San Antonio. “He’s starting to get back to himself, into his rhythm.”

All 13 Raptors scored and 12 of them contributed assists. Toronto finished with 36 assists on 50 made field goals — three assists off the single-game franchise record.