Hornets rally to sweep Mavericks
DALLAS -- Kemba Walker scored 19 points and the Charlotte Hornets finished strong to beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-101 Monday night at American Airlines Center.
The Southeast Division-leading Hornets (12-9) rallied from 11 points down in the third quarter and held off a late Mavericks rally to sweep the season series. Both Charlotte wins have come in the last five days.
The Hornets finished their 97-87 victory at home on Dec. 1 with a 9-2 run. Charlotte claimed the rematch by outscoring Dallas 34-23 in the final period.
Walker knocked down 8 of 15 from the floor in 35 minutes. Nicolas Batum (14 points and 15 rebounds) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (11 points and 12 rebounds) both had double-doubles.
Jeremy Lamb scored 14 points off the bench, including a 3-pointer with 13.5 seconds left to thwart a final push by the Mavs. The Hornets hit just 3 of 18 from deep, missing their first 14.
Marco Belinelli added 16 points off the bench for the visitors. Cody Zeller had 12 points and a key block of Deron Williams' driving runner with Charlotte clinging to a three-point lead in the final minute.
The game featured 18 lead changes and 17 ties before the Hornets took the lead for good on Walker's basket with eight minutes to play. Charlotte won the rebound battle 55-35.
Harrison Barnes led the Mavs with 29 points and grabbed seven boards. Williams had 15 points and 13 assists. Wesley Matthews scored 16, and reserves Dwight Powell (15 points) and Jonathan Gibson (13 points) scored in double figures.
Already without Dirk Nowitzki, J.J. Barea and Seth Curry, the Dallas rotation suffered another blow in the first half when Andrew Bogut hurt his right knee. The starting center is set to have an MRI exam Tuesday.
The Hornets missed all nine of their 3-point tries in the first half, but went into the locker room down just 50-48. Charlotte did make 19 of 31 shots (61.3 percent) inside the arc and all 10 free throws.
Barnes had 13 points at the break for Dallas, with Williams scoring seven and handing out six assists. Williams’ layup to beat the halftime buzzer was the difference.
NOTES: Dallas isn't actively looking to trade C Andrew Bogut, according to ESPN. The report added that stance could change depending on the Mavericks' playoff possibilities. Bogut, in a contract year, could fetch a first-round pick from a contender. Dallas is off to the worst start in the Mark Cuban ownership era. ... Charlotte F Marvin Williams (hyperextended left knee) missed his sixth straight game, but could return Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons. ... Dallas G Seth Curry is the son of Hornets TV analyst Dell Curry. ... The Mavs and Hornets have already completed their two-game season series, with both matchups coming this month. ... Dallas, 3-6 at home, plays the third of its four-game homestand Wednesday against Sacramento. The Hornets return to Charlotte to face Detroit on Wednesday.