Pro Sports

Batum scores 23 points as Hornets beat Nets 105-100

Posted March 22, 2016 7:00 am

By MICHAEL SCOTTO

Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) looks for a shot as Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) and guard Shane Larkin (0) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Nicolas Batum scored 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Brooklyn Nets 105-100 on Tuesday night.

Jeremy Lin added 21 points, a night after scoring 29 in Charlotte's rally from 23 down to beat the San Antonio Spurs.

Brook Lopez had 29 points, nine rebounds and a season-high six assists, and Sean Kilpatrick added a career-high 25 points for the Nets.

Batum hit two big shots down the stretch to key the win. Batum had a four-point play to put Charlotte up 91-84 with 4:11 left and 3-pointer to extend the lead to 96-88 with 2:44 remaining.

Bojan Bogdanovic cut the deficit to 98-97. Kemba Walker then sank two free throws to push Charlotte's lead to 100-97 and the Hornets never looked back.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Coach Steve Clifford commended Al Jefferson for adjusting his game and coming off the bench for the good of the team. "I think the thing he's done this year, and because of his injuries people haven't seen it, is he's added a ball movement and pick-and-roll aspect. He's not just a post-up player anymore." ... Frank Kaminsky started for the second time in his career replacing Marvin Williams (sprained left ankle). ... Aaron Harrison and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were not in uniform.

Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) returned to the lineup for the first time after missing 50 games. ... Coach Tony Brown has noticed a change in Charlotte's play with Jefferson coming off the bench. "When you lose a Jefferson, who's been a huge piece of their team and he got a lot of touches in the low post, maybe the pace wasn't there with Jefferson as a starter." ... Kilpatrick has scored in double figures six straight games off the bench, which ties Andrea Bargnani for the longest streak for a Nets reserve this season. ... Sergey Karasev and Jarrett Jack were not in uniform.

UP NEXT

Hornets: At Detroit on Friday.

Nets: Host Cleveland on Thursday

Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic, left, defends Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends on a shot by Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets guard Courtney Lee (1) grabs a rebound in front of Brooklyn Nets center Henry Sims (14) and forward Thomas Robinson (41) defend with Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) watching the play during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Spencer Hawes (00) and guard Jeremy Lin (7) defend Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum fends off Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) to maintain control of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. The Hornets defeated the Nets 105-100. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) grabs a rebound in front of Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky III (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) The Associated Press

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