Hornets 108, Pacers 101
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kemba Walker recorded 33 points and Nicolas Batum scored 31, and the Charlotte Hornets completed a three-game season sweep over the Indiana Pacers with a 108-101 victory on Friday.
Walker and Batum hit four 3-pointers apiece as the Hornets went 13 for 31 from 3-point range.
The win allowed Charlotte (33-28) to pick up a full game on the Pacers in the race for Eastern Conference playoff positioning. The Hornets have won three straight and nine of their last 11.
The Pacers (32-30) have lost four of their last five.
The Hornets trailed 82-80 entering the fourth quarter, but scored eight straight points midway through the period to take a 101-90-point lead. The Pacers never got closer than six the rest of the way.
Walker was 9 for 17 from the field and 11 for 11 from the free-throw line. He also had 10 assists. Batum was 12 for 22 from the field. The Hornets shot 48.1 percent from the field.
The Hornets also got 13 points from Al Jefferson.
Paul George led the Pacers with 35 points. Monta Ellis scored 15, George Hill scored 12, and Ian Mahinmi had 10 points and 14 rebounds.
The Pacers shot 41.1 percent from the field.
NOTES: The Hornets were opening a seven-game homestand. It's the team's second seven-game homestand of the season. They will play 10 home games in March. ... The Hornets won 117-95 at Indiana on Feb. 10 and 96-95 at Indiana on Feb. 26. ... The Pacers were playing the third game on a four-game road trip and were in the middle of a stretch of six road games out of seven. They won at Milwaukee 104-99 on Wednesday. ... The Hornets were coming off a 119-99 win at Philadelphia on Wednesday. ... The Hornets continue to be without C Spencer Hawes (back), but they're 8-4 without him. ... The Pacers continue to be without G C.J. Miles (calf). ... The Hornets allow opponents fewer offensive rebounds than any team in the NBA. ... Pacers F Paul George came into the game 10th in the NBA in scoring at 23.2. ... Hornets G Kemba Walker is up to 10th in the league in minutes played, averaging 36.0. ... The Pacers will play at Washington on Saturday. ... The Hornets will host Minnesota on Monday.