Returning home after three weeks on the road the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Indiana Pacers 100 to 88. It’s the first time since January 20-21 the Hornets have won consecutive games. It was the first time the Hornets were on TNT this season. Backup center Miles Plumlee (right calf strain) and backup forward Frank Kaminsky (sprained left shoulder) were both out for this game. Charlotte started the game on a fast start, using a 9-0 run to push their lead to 18-11 with three minutes left in the first quarter and with Batum banking in a three-pointer at the buzzer to help give the Hornets a 27-17 lead at the end of the first quarter. Charlotte would use a 10-2 run right before half to lead 58 to 37 at halftime. Pacers 37 points in the first half matched a season-low for a Hornets opponent. But, the Pacers would start the third quarter scoring 10 unanswered and would hit five three-pointers in the quarter to help outscore the Hornets 29-16 in the third. Indiana would cut the lead to 82-75 early in the fourth quarter, but Lamb’s three and layup help kept the Pacers at bay and with MKG and-1 under two minutes left that pushed Charlotte’s lead to double-digits and helped seal the victory for the Hornets.
The MVP for the Hornets this game would be Nicolas Batum who scored 21 points. Nic played at another level tonight, hitting tough shots, making crisp passes, and just playing hard. If the Hornets want to make a run into the postseason there going to need Batum to play like this for the rest of the season. The Hornets played great, forced 15 turnovers which helped them get a big lead early in the game. Even though the Hornets allowed the Pacers to get back in the game in the second half. The Hornets was able to push their lead back to double-digits and finish late in the game. The leading scorers for the Hornets this game was Kemba Walker with 28 points 7 assists 6 rebounds, Jeremy Lamb with 14 points, Cody Zeller with 13 points 11 rebounds, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The leading scorers for the Pacers this game was Paul George with 36 points 10 rebounds, CJ Miles with 16 points, Monta Ellis with 12 points, Jeff Teague with 10 points and 8 assists. Charlotte Hornets (28-35) will travel to Miami to face off against the Heat Wednesday night. Also, Congratulations to Kemba Walker who was named Eastern Conference player of the week on Monday. He averaged 27 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds from February 27-March 5. It’s the fifth time he won the award.
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