Hornets snap skid with win vs. Blazers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kemba Walker scored 23 points, and the Charlotte Hornets returned home and snapped a five-game losing streak with a 107-85 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at the Spectrum Center.
Walker was eight of 14 from the field with four 3-pointers, on a night when the Hornets dominated the final three quarters and led by as many as 25 in the fourth quarter.
The Hornets (21-21) were back home after going winless on a five-game road trip.
Nicolas Batum added 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The Hornets also got 16 points from Roy Hibbert, 13 from Marco Belinelli, and 11 from Frank Kaminsky.
The Trail Blazers (18-26) lost their third straight. They were content to stay outside and shoot 3-pointers most of the game, but wound up making only eight of 31 from 3-point range. They shot 35.1 percent from the field.
Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 21 points, but was seven of 18 from the field. C.J. McCollum was the only other player in double figures with 18.
Portland led 26-23 after one quarter. The Hornets started taking control in the second quarter and led 54-46 at halftime, and then led 79-72 after three quarters. It was 88-72 after the Hornets opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run.
NOTES: The Trail Blazers were without C Festus Ezeli (knee) and F Ed Davis (ankle). The Hornets were without G Jeremy Lamb (metatarsal inflammation). ... The Blazers were playing the second game of a four-game eastern trip. They opened with a 120-101 loss at Washington on Monday. ... The Hornets opened a five-game homestand. They'll play three home games in four days. ... The Hornets entered the game below .500 for the first time all season. They opened the season 6-1. ... The Hornets' disastrous road trip included losses at Detroit, San Antonio, Houston, Philadelphia and Boston. They concluded the trip with a 108-98 loss to the Celtics on Monday. ... The teams will meet again on Jan. 31 in Portland. ... The Blazers came into the game allowing opponents to shoot 45.7 percent from the field, the highest mark in the NBA. ... The Blazers continue the trip on Friday at Philadelphia. The Hornets host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.