Hornets 87, Bucks 82
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Guard Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer with 45.9 seconds remaining for the go-ahead basket, and the Charlotte Hornets went on to an 87-82 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon.
Batum's 3-pointer broke an 80-80 tie and capped a day in which the Hornets put on a clinic from long range, hitting 15 of 31 for 48.4 percent. The Hornets wound up outscoring the Bucks 7-2 in the final minute, as guard Kemba Walker tacked on a jumper and two free throws in the final 24.7.
The Hornets (10-7) won for the fifth time in their last six games.
Milwaukee (6-11) lost for the sixth time in its last seven games.
Walker led the Hornets with 22 points. Batum finished with 15 points, guard Jeremy Lamb had 14 points and nine rebounds, and forward Marvin Williams scored 12.
The Hornets lost center Al Jefferson seven minutes into the game with a calf injury.
Forward Khris Middleton led the Bucks with 19 points. Center Greg Monroe had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Guard O.J. Mayo scored 12, guard Jerryd Bayless scored 11, and forward Jabari Parker scored 10.
Each team led by 11 in the first half before the Hornets wound up with a 45-37 halftime lead. The Hornets led 65-59 going into the fourth quarter.
NOTES: Bucks coach Jason Kidd was back on the bench after serving a one-game suspension. Kidd missed the Bucks' 114-90 loss at Orlando Friday for slapping the ball out of a referee's hands in a loss to Sacramento last week. ... Hornets F Frank Kaminsky (back) and F Cody Zeller (shoulder) both played after being limited in practice Saturday. ... The Bucks tried their eighth different starting lineup Sunday, with G O.J. Mayo getting his first start of the season. ... The Hornets were coming off a 95-90 loss to Cleveland Friday that snapped a seven-game home court winning streak. ... This was the second of eight Sunday afternoon games the Hornets will play this season. ... Entering Sunday, the Bucks had committed the most fouls of any team in the NBA, the Hornets the second-fewest. ... The Hornets were playing the sixth game of a seven-game homestand. They will close out the homestand Wednesday night against Golden State. ... The Bucks will return home to face Denver Monday night.