They outscored the Hornets 31-14 in the third quarter as the game looked to be in hand. But Kemba Walker and the Hornets weren’t about to quit and they made an nearly improbable comeback to win a game that they really had no business in being in after the third quarter.
Advertisement
Rajon Rondo was dictating the tempo, DeMarcus Cousins was hitting everything, and the Kings’ defense was smothering. DeMarcus Cousins went to the locker room in the third quarter (lower back) but did return, although later would sit out overtime…
Charlotte kept the pressure on in the extra frame, taking a six-point lead with 2:07 remaining.
Nic Batum chipped in 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, while Jeremy Lin dropped in eight points in the overtime session.
Walker had 21 points in the fourth quarter and appeared to win the game on a driving scoop layup down the right side of the lane with 0.7 seconds left.
The Sacramento Kings let a rare road win slip through their fingers Monday night at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
The Kings drew up a play to lob the ball in from a side out-of-bounds play to Rudy Gay who tipped the ball in as the clocked expired.
The Hornets took the game over in the overtime period and weren’t going to lose this one.
With Charlotte looking poised to win, Gay answered with a buzzer beater to send the game into overtime. The Hornets already know they can give it to him in clutch situations, but the question has always been if he can be a consistent scorer – and shooter – throughout the course of a game. Jeremy Lamb recored his 10th double-digit scoring performance in 13 games this season, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists… Al Jefferson also scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists… Frank Kaminsky recorded nine points and five rebounds…
The Charlotte Hornets out rebounded the Kings 48-46.
Advertisement
B OFFENSE: The Hornets pride themselves in being low-turnover.
