BULLS-HORNETS
Walker, Lin lead unbeaten Hornets over Bulls 94-86
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β Kemba Walker scored 22 points, Jeremy Lin added 18 points and eight rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Chicago Bulls 94-86 on Monday night to remain undefeated in the preseason.
The Hornets (6-0) also got 11 points from P.J. Hairston in his first game back from a calf injury.
BULLS: Jimmy Butler had 18 points, but was 0 for 4 from 3-point range. … Taj Gibson had a preseason-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting along with nine rebounds. … Chicago was 6 of 27 from beyond the 3-point arc.
HORNETS: Jeremy Lamb left the game with a sprained right ankle and did not return. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out.
STAR WATCH: Pau Gasol had the night off for the Bulls.
MIDSEASON FORM: Joakim Noah recorded his first double-double of the preseason with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
UP NEXT: Chicago hosts Indiana on Tuesday. Charlotte visits Detroit on Wednesday.
WAKE FOREST-WEBBER TEACHING
Chris Webber to teach master’s class at Wake Forest
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) β Former NBA All-Star Chris Webber has a new job: teacher.
Wake Forest University announced Monday that Webber will teach a course in its new master of arts in sports storytelling program.
Webber will be a professor of practice in the program that is part of the university’s documentary film program. He will teach a class on sports, race and society.
Webber was part of Michigan’s “Fab Five” in the early 1990s, made five All-Star teams during his 15-year NBA career and now works as a television analyst. He formed a production company in 2012 with “Hoop Dreams” producer Peter Gilbert β who’s also a professor of practice in the university’s documentary film program.
The program launches in Fall 2016.
HEALING FALCONS
Falcons open practice week with healthy Julio Jones
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) β Julio Jones has opened the week on the practice field instead of in the trainer’s room.
A healthy Jones is the first sign that three straight off days could move the Atlanta Falcons closer to full strength for Sunday’s game at Tennessee.
The Falcons are hoping to have starting center Mike Person (ankle) and linebacker Justin Durant (elbow) back this week. Person and Durant worked on the side in Monday’s practice after missing Thursday night’s 31-21 loss at New Orleans.
Coach Dan Quinn says he hopes Person and Durant can practice on Wednesday.
Jones has played in every game despite missing some practices the last four weeks with toe and hamstring injuries. The star receiver missed last week’s first practice.
TITANS-MARIOTA
MRI exam shows Titans QB Mariota sprained his left MCL
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) β An MRI exam shows Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota sprained his left MCL, and coach Ken Whisenhunt says they will have to see how the rookie’s knee progresses before determining if he can play Sunday against Atlanta.
Whisenhunt said that Mariota was walking around just fine at the Tennessee headquarters on Monday.
Mariota was injured during the second quarter of Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins when hit low by end Olivier Vernon. The rookie stayed on the field and didn’t miss a play. Mariota did put a brace after the series, and he remained in the game until Whisenhunt sent Zach Mettenberger in for the final series with 1:54 left.
GEORGIA TECH-MAJOR SLUMP
Johnson looks for ways out of Georgia Tech’s 5-game skid
ATLANTA (AP) β It’s no coincidence that Georgia Tech is suffering from a lack of confidence.
That’s what happens during a five-game losing streak.
Even so, coach Paul Johnson is convinced the Yellow Jackets (2-5, 0-4 ACC) have a chance to beat No. 9 Florida State (6-0, 4-0).
Georgia Tech returned to practice Monday hoping to focus on correcting mistakes that are magnified each week.
Saturday’s three-point loss to Pittsburgh had it all β 31 points allowed, poor pass protection, missed assignments, a critical late penalty, a blocked field goal and terrible field position.
This week’s task could be the Jackets’ toughest of the year.
Florida State has won 28 straight conference games. Georgia Tech has lost five straight to opponents who are combined 27-4 this season.
