Court Vision: Hornets snap 10-game losing streak with Walker's game-winner
Looking into the Charlotte Hornets 103-102 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night, where point guard Kemba Walker's buzzer-beater snapped the team's 10-game losing streak:
1. THE STREAK COMES TO AN END
The night was just four seconds away from being by far the worst loss of the year. Charlotte had blown an 18-point lead with just 10 minutes left to play and trailed by one with just four ticks remaining on the clock. Point guard Kemba Walker, who has been in a season-long shooting slump and was just 3 for 14 on the night, hit a driving layup with his left hand at the buzzer to save Charlotte from a complete and utter collapse.
The win snaps a 10-game losing streak, while the Knicks are on seven-game losing streak of their own.
"We needed a win and it was a good way to win a game," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.
For Walker, it was a situation where there was more a sense of relief as opposed to joy for the win. Of course, when you're not shooting well and your team has blown numerous leads this season, that's understandable.
"We stuck with it," Walker said. "In the past, we've done that where we've gotten tight (down the stretch). ... There was so much positive energy out there, a lot of togetherness and a lot of intensity. We've still got to learn how to finish games out. We're having a tough time with letting teams back in the game."
2. STEPHENSON COMING ALIVE
Even though the Hornets lost to the Bulls Wednesday night, that's when Lance Stephenson started looking different offensively for Charlotte. Against Chicago, Stephenson was more aggressive in taking the ball to the rim and not settling for long jump shots, where he hasn't been good at all this season.
He followed up what was arguably his best game of the season with another outstanding performance as he followed up his season-high of 20 points with a 16-point performance. He also added six rebounds and six assists.
It really is the first time all season things don't seemed forced on his end and as a result looks much more comfortable on the floor and in the flow of the offense.
"I do think he's getting more comfortable," Clifford said. "He's learning his teammates more and he's finding his spots and finding his shots."
3. NEAL MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN
It's no coincidence that reserve shooting guard Gary Neal missing six games due to various injuries and the Hornets long losing streak occurred during the same stretch.
Neal, who is averaging 12.3 points per game in nearly 25 minutes of playing time, had missed the previous four games with a left shoulder sprain, provided the spark off the bench that the team had been missing during his absence. He scored 13 points on 5 of 9 shooting, while also dishing out three assists.
"He just knows how to play offense," Clifford said. "He knows how to get shots for his teammates and how to create shots for himself."
For Neal, the return to the court couldn't have come soon enough.
"It's frustrating as a competitor," he said. "You want to play whether you're 18-0 or 0-18. ... The bench is just as important as the starters. Everybody has an important job on the team."
22.2: Charlotte was able to get the win despite shooting just 4-of-18 (22.2 percent) from 3-point range, while the Knicks made 10-of-22 (45.5 percent).
22: Hornets guard Gerald Henderson scored a season-high 22 points on 8 of 10 shooting.
"We're getting better. The challenge in this league is consistency," Clifford said.
Follow Brett Jensen on Twitter: @Brett_Jensen
