Before we get started, join me in wishing Hornets’ owner George Shinn well. The team announced today that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I’m liking his attitude towards it: “This is not the first obstacle that I have had to overcome in life, but it will be another one that will be conquered.”

Hornets hosting the Raptors tonight, with our guys still in search of a convincing victory this season. The Raps have started out 2-2, been busy scoring and allowing tons of points. They last played Wednesday in Toronto, beating the Pistons 110-99 behind 47 combined points from Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani.

Ike Diogu is likely to be inactive again, but keep your fingers crossed for a rookie sighting.

Game tips at 7 p.m. Central.

Linkage:

• Ryan’s game preview
• Journals: Hornets coming together – hard/but can do
• Rival bloggers: RaptorBlog.com | Raptors Republic | RaptorsHQ.com

(Many thanks to Dariusz for the banner.)