CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ Kemba Walker had 22 points, Nicolas Batum scored 17 of 20 points in a pivotal third quarter and the Charlotte Hornets handed the Philadelphia 76ers their fourth straight loss to open the season, 109-93 on Wednesday night.
Led by Batum, the Hornets opened the second half on a 16-2 run to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and gain control.
Batum, who came into game shooting just 27 percent from the field and was limited to three points in the first half, was 6 of 8 in the third quarter with three 3-pointers as the Hornets outscored the 76ers 39-20. The 76ers didn’t help themselves with eight turnovers in the third quarter that led to 12 Charlotte points.
Frank Kaminsky provided a huge boost off the bench for Charlotte (3-1), finishing with 14 points for his second-straight double-digit game since returning from a sprained foot.
