The Raptors DeMar DeRozan tries to shoot the ball around Hornets guard Mo Williams in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday.Jeremy Brevard
Al Jefferson had 23 points and 13 rebounds and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Toronto Raptors 103-94 on Friday night in a game that had six technical fouls.
Jefferson was 11 of 21 from the field en route to his team-leading 19th double-double of the season. Mo Williams added 23 points, and Lance Stephenson had 11 points and eight rebounds to help Charlotte win its fourth straight. The Hornets entered the night in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
DeMar DeRozan had 30 points on 14-of-26 shooting for Toronto. The Raptors have lost seven of their past eight games. Kyle Lowry returned to the starting lineup after missing the past three games with nagging injuries and fatigue and scored 25 points in 37 minutes.
The Hornets have beaten the Raptors eight straight times at home.
Official Joey Crawford made his presence felt, twice assessing double technical fouls. The first time, he slapped Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Jonas Valanciunas and later got Gerald Henderson and Terrence Ross. Crawford also hit James Johnson late and Stephenson in separate incidents after the game.
The Hornets led 80-75 early in the fourth quarter before going on a 17-3 run highlighted by a highlight-reel no-look bounce pass from Stephenson to Cody Zeller for a dunk. Stephenson began celebrating the pass even before Zeller elevated, racing back down the court with his arm stretched wide and a big smile on his face.
Williams was big again for the Hornets. He came in averaging 21.6 points and 8.9 assists in the six games since being acquired from Minnesota in a trade. He added seven more assists and four three-pointers, as he continues to fill in admirably for the injured Kemba Walker. He had 15 points in the second half.
Williams is playing so well that coach Steve Clifford said before the game that he plans to pair Williams with Walker in the backcourt at times once Walker is healthy enough to return from a knee injury. Clifford said Walker could be back as soon as next week.
"They're two of our best three scorers," Clifford said.
The Hornets closed the first half strong to open a 53-42 lead and the Raptors could never get closer than five after the break.