Jefferson scores 29 as Hornets beat Trail Blazers 106-94
Al Jefferson scored 29 points (16 in the paint), and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106-94.
The Hornets took control with a 23-5 run bridging the first and second quarters and led by as many as 29.
Nicolas Batum had 33 points and 6 assists.
For the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard had 23 points (12 in the paint) and 8 rebounds but went 1 for 9 from 3.
The Hornets shot 49.4% from the field and 29.0% from 3 to the Trail Blazers’ 39.3% and 23.8%. The Hornets outscored the Trail Blazers 12-1 in 4 minutes with Williams, Hawes, Lin, Lamb and Zeller on the floor together. Ed Davis fouled out.