Walker, Hornets overtake Hawks

[November 07, 2018]  Kemba Walker scored 29 points, and the host Charlotte Hornets pulled away from the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter for a 113-102 victory on Tuesday night.

The Hornets went on a 17-4 run early in the fourth to turn an 84-83 deficit into a 100-88 lead, and they went on to lead by as many as 15 points from there.

Marvin Williams played a key role in the rally, with eight fourth-quarter points, including two 3-pointers. He finished with 20 points for the game.

Walker came into the game averaging 28.0 points per game, fifth best in the NBA, but he had not hit his average in any of the previous three games. He finished the night 12 of 22 from the field and 4 of 10 from 3-point range. He also had seven assists, three rebounds and three steals.

The Hornets got 13 points apiece from Jeremy Lamb and Malik Monk, and 10 points from Nicolas Batum, who also hit a key 3-pointer in the fourth-quarter surge.

The Hornets have won two straight and three of their past four. The Hawks have now lost five of their past six.

Jeremy Lin led the Hawks with 19 points. Trae Young had 18 points and 10 assists but scored only four in the second half. Kent Bazemore finished with 16 points, and Alex Len scored 12.

The Hawks led 25-23 after one quarter and 54-51 at halftime. The Hornets scored the first nine points of the third quarter and went on to lead 81-77 after three. Atlanta led 84-83 after Alex Poythress' 3-pointer with 10:04 remaining before the Hornets regrouped and went on their run.

Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots a three point basket against Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Hawks were without Taurean Prince (ankle), John Collins (ankle) and Justin Anderson (leg). The Hornets continue to be healthy, and they have not lost a player to injury for any game this season.
 

The Hawks will return home to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Hornets closed out a 3-1 homestand. They will open a three-game road trip on Friday at Philadelphia.

--Field Level Media

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