Walker scores 35 as Hornets beat Pelicans 122-113
Kemba Walker scored 35 points (14 in the first quarter), and the Charlotte Hornets went on an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-113 for their fifth straight win.
The Hornets never trailed and led by as many as 17.
The Pelicans got within 109-106 on Anthony Davis’ 2 free throws with 3:43 to play, but Walker answered with an 18-foot step-back jumper, and the Pelicans got no closer.
During clutch time, the Hornets outscored the Pelicans 6-5. Walker (No. 7 in clutch points, 2015-16) scored all 6 of the Hornets’ points on 1 for 4 shooting and 4 for 4 at the line.
The Hornets had 7 players in double-digit scoring.
For the Pelicans, Davis had 40 points and 13 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday added a season-high 38 points (18 in the third quarter) and 6 assists. The Pelicans had 2 30-point scorers.
The Pelicans forced 5 turnovers, about 9 fewer than usual for this many possessions. The Pelicans’ starters were outscored 23-13 in 6 minutes together.