In the first game after the All-Star break, the Charlotte Hornets beat the Toronto Raptors 125-93. The Hornets team limited the Canadians to just 61 points over the first three quarters of the game, in a great performance defensive.

Just to illustrate, the Raptors only converted 44% of field shots and 26% of perimeter kicks. The Hornets were in one of their best defensive forms heading into the break, although that didn’t translate to wins due to issues up front.

Shortly after the triumph, head coach James Borrego credited his side’s consistent effort and focus as the main reason for the victory.

“A fantastic performance, I’m really proud of the band,” said Borrego. “More than anything it was our effort and focus to finish it. Extreme effort to start this game, the focus was there, the defensive intensity was there, everyone did their job.

Borrego only had nine players available for the duel but they managed to perform well, especially on the defensive side of the pitch.

“I felt that the [nove] the guys who went there were connected, selfless, played well and played hard. And that translates into that kind of performance,” the Hornets coach continued.

Additionally, James Borrego paraphrased a very common basketball saying to analyze the team’s victory.

“When you’re fresh and you have legs. What can you do to shoot the ball better? You rest your legs, that’s really the main thing. More than anything, this effort must start in defense and win the ball.

The Charlotte Hornets enter the court this Sunday (27) against the Detroit Pistons, at the Spectrum Center, their home.