Brandon Ingram was one of many to struggle mightily for the Raptors

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Listless and downright useless, Friday night at Scotiabank Arena represented the lowest of the lows for the Raptors, whose unexpected start to the NBA’s season has featured its share of high points.

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One night after the exhilaration of LeBron James’ visit with the L.A. Lakers — who escaped with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, — the Raptors were embarrassed by a Hornets team that won one road game heading into the night and won easily 111-86

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It was the lowest Raptors offensive output of the season — by six points.

A week ago, the host Hornets ended Toronto’s nine-game win streak in overtime. No OT was required in the rematch once the visitors began to take control in the second quarter.

When some kind of jolt was required, nothing was summoned by anyone. There’s no other way to say it, but to state the obvious, which is to say the Raptors were pathetic in dropping to 15-9 overall and 1-2 on this current five-game homestand.

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To add to the night’s misery, Jamison Battle left the game because of an ankle sprain.

The following are three takeaways on a night when Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 points, while his counterpart, LaMelo Ball, played only 12 minutes for the Hornets before leaving with an injury after he slipped on the floor.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, INACTION

Very, very early into the night, the game was delayed for roughly 12 minutes when the arena’s strobe lights couldn’t be turned off, making for an odd scene.

The game itself had no buzz.

The Raptors showed little mental toughness in allowing Charlotte to go on a 17-0 run in the second quarter, a stretch that saw them go scoreless for five minutes.

The second half began with Jamal Shead in the starting group for Ja’Kobe Walter, underscoring the injury absence to RJ Barrett (knee).

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Walter picked up three fouls in the opening half and missed all three of his shots from the field.

BIG PROBLEMS

Jakob Poeltl was back in the starting lineup, one night after he sat out as the Raptors keep a close tab on his lower back issues. Managing his workload is a must to preserve Poeltl’s long-term health.

When he’s not playing, or when he is and picking up early fouls, Toronto’s shortcomings become pronounced.

By this time, everyone should be aware of what backup Sandro Mamukelashvili brings to the floor, whether it’s his energy, ability to use the dribble in attacking the rim or spotting up and drilling shots.

But at 6-foot-9, he lacks true centre size and isn’t about to gain some any time soon.

Poeltl picked up his third foul with under three minutes to play in the opening half and wound up scoring five points in 23 uneventful minutes for the night. Mamu was no better, with three points in 16 minutes.

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In basketball, size does matter. And at some point, the Raptors will have to address this obvious shortcoming.

Meanwhile, Ryan Kalkbrenner, whom the Hornets took in the second round (34th overall), is a seven-footer. The Raptors couldn’t keep the kid off the glass and as a result Kalkbrenner scored 12 points with little resistance.

SEVEN-YEAR ITCH

Prior to opening tip, Darko Rajakovic was singing the praises for Scottie Barnes.

Since he was named head coach two years ago, Rajakovic has this habit of going way too far in lavishing praise on Barnes.

Recall his epic post-game rant in L.A. following a tough loss to the Lakers in Rajakovic’s rookie season when he had the audacity to suggest Barnes would one day become a face of the NBA.

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As if anyone believed it.

On Friday, Rajakovic projected Barnes to be in the running for defensive player of the year. So, it was odd, late in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers, when Barnes came with a double-team on Austin Reaves.

Against the Hornets, Barnes scored the Raptors’ first seven points during a three-minute stretch in which he didn’t force a single heave. He finished with 13.

When Barnes is at his offensive best, he’s in attack mode. When defenders are playing off him, he needs to shoot the ball and more often he finds net.

He did not attempt a single free throw the entire night. Neither did Brandon Ingram, who has clearly hit a wall and was held to a meagre seven points on for 3-for-13 shooting.

Late in the third quarter, Barnes became the de facto centre when the Raptors went small to force a quicker pace.

UP NEXT

On Sunday, 3:30 p.m., the Raptors will get their first look at a revamped Celtics team that continues on without Jayson Tatum (season-ending Achilles surgery) … Head coach Joe Mazzulla is never afraid to push the envelope when it comes to his rotation … Boston scored 69 points in the first half Friday en route to its rout of the visiting Lakers, the Celtics’ ninth win in their past 11 games.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

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