Over to the hardwood now, and one of the early surprises of the NBA season has been the play of the Charlotte Hornets. The Bugs have been challenging for one of the top-three spots in the Eastern Conference, but have suddenly hit the skids, losing four straight games. Marvin Williams, and the squad would look to get back to winning ways as they travelled to Atlanta to take on the Hawks.
Charlotte looked like they would end their losing run, as they take a 9-point lead in the second after this Kemba Walker three. Hornets led by as much as 16.
But the ATL would clawback in the scond half -- Paul Millsap goes hard to the rack, but cannot convert, but Dwight Howard powers home the rebound, and the lead is now just 4.
The visitors try and stay in front, some good ball movement, and odd cuts leads to this shot in the paint which does not fall -- but Cody Zeller is there for the tip-in, and it is an 8-point lead late in the third.
The Hawks though would be able to go on a run in the fourth and take the lead, as Paul Millspa hits the baseline J. He had 20.
The bugs though get some clutch play in the last couple of minutes, Marco belinelli using the dribble hand-off to free himself for a triple -- and the visitors go in front by 2.
Other end of the floor and the hosts looking to tie, but some good defence forces Millsap into a tough shot, that will not fall -- Charlotte goes the other way and Marvin Williams gets the tear-drop runner, and it is a 4-point game.
Inside the final minute, and Charlotte clinging to a 2-point lead, Walker making moves up top, splits the double team and finds Williams open from the land beyond -- who nails it. Hornets go on to an 8-point victory and snap a four-game skid.
In other action, Denver downed New York. Kevin Durant drained 11 threes and scored 34 points as Golden State clobbered Portland by 45. Russell Westbrook had a triple-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 22 assists in OKC's win over Phoenix. Indy tops Detroit. Kevin Love had 27 and 17 as Cleveland rolled by the Lakers. James Harden missed a triple-double by a single assist as Houston held off Minny in overtime. That is the Rockets 10th straight win.
