The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets to bring themselves one step closer to a home playoff series in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The Charlotte Hornets lostMarvin Williamsfor a game with an ankle issue against the Spurs. They were also able to returnSpencer Hawesto action. They opted to startFrank Kaminsky. How did these changes work against the Brooklyn Nets?
Well enough. The Hornets were able to defeat the Nets on the road105-100behind a big effort fromNicolas Batumand a second big night from guardJeremy Lin. Batum scored twenty-three and Lin scored twenty-one in the outing. Lin would once again prove to be a second half sparkplug for the Hornets.
By themselves that would not have been enough.Brook Lopezattacked the interior for the Nets and scored twenty-nine points of his own. Former Hornets trade targetBojan Bogdanovicscored twenty from his small forward position working off Lopez’s success. Finally their bench guardSean Kilpatricktossed in twenty-five more from off the bench.
The Hornets have never been a three man team though and contributions fromAl Jefferson(10 points), Kaminsky (14 points), andKemba Walker(14 points) overcame the single matchup advantages that the Nets found. Jefferson once again showed his stuff coming off the bench.
Hawes had five rebounds in his return to action.
Former Tar HeelWayne Ellingtonstarted for the Nets at shooting guard.
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For the Hornets this was a necessary win. A real playoff team shooting for positioning cannot lose games like this, which is why that Denver Nuggets loss at home earlier hurt so much. Hopefully Williams gets back quickly to help continue the momentum.
The stakes are still pretty high for the Hornets. They still sit half a game back of Miami in the third seed race. Atlanta and Boston are now in lock step with the Hornets. It is only tiebreakers that designate the Hornets as the sixth seed instead of the fourth. It is worth remembering that the fourth seed gets to host a playoff round.
Next: Lin leads Hornets over Spurs
The Hornets will keep their campaign going with a trip to playoff bubble team Detroit on Friday. The Hornets will need to be ready since the Pistons need this game more than Charlotte does.
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