By Sam Perley, hornets.com
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Result
While the Hornets managed to rebound from a shaky start to the game, a rocky third quarter eventually did them in as they fell to the Clippers, 97-83, on Saturday, Jan. 9 in Los Angeles, which extended their losing streak to a season-high six games. Although the issues on perimeter defense were cleaned up a bit from its previous outing in Phoenix, Charlotte’s offense struggled to get consistent production for most of the afternoon in addition to its 16 total team turnovers. Jeremy Lin filled in admirably in the starting lineup for the injured Nicolas Batum, tallying a game-high 26 points while the Clippers’ Chris Paul scored 25 points in the win.
Turning Points
After falling behind 27-18 at the end of the first, the Hornets put together an impressive second quarter, outscoring the Clippers, 28-16, to take a three-point lead into halftime. Los Angeles responded by coming out of the break on a 15-3 run to take a 58-49 lead with about six minutes remaining in the third. The Clippers eventually closed the quarter with a six-point lead after outscoring Charlotte, 27-18, in the frame, which ultimately ended up being enough of a cushion to notch their season-high eighth-consecutive victory.
Inside the Box Score
Jeremy Lin led the way for Charlotte with a game-high 26 points, four rebounds and a team-high four assists… Jeremy Lamb had arguably his best game of the season, finishing with 18 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for the second double-double of his NBA career… Kemba Walker also scored in double figures with 11 points and three assists… Cody Zeller chipped in six points and a team-high-tying 13 rebounds for his fifth double-digit rebounding performance of the season… The 13 rebounds by Lamb and Zeller were also the most by an individual Hornets player in a game this season… Chris Paul led the Clippers with a team-high 25 points, seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists… Jamal Crawford knocked down 19 points on 9-of-20 shooting off the bench… J.J. Redick (17 points) and DeAndre Jordan (11 points) added double-digit scoring performances for Los Angeles… Jordan also recorded game highs in rebounds (19) and blocks (four) for his seventh-consecutive double-double and 22nd overall on the season. The 19 rebounds were also an individual season high for a Hornets opponent this season… The Hornets connected on 31-of-84 field-goal attempts (36.9 percent) while the Clippers hit 40-of-91 (44.0 percent)… Both teams finished with exactly 47 rebounds.
Hornets Player of the Game
Jeremy Lin had a sensational afternoon for the Hornets, finishing with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting (3-of-4 from three-point range), four rebounds and four assists. Lin, who finished with his second-highest scoring total of the season, has now scored in double figures in 10-consecutive games and in 22 games overall on the season, the latter of which is tied for fourth-most on the team.
Clippers Player of the Game
Chris Paul shined once again for the hometown Clippers as he tallied a team-high 25 points, seven rebounds and game highs in both assists (seven) and steals (two) in the victory for Los Angeles. Paul also shot 11-of-19 from the field, which matched his second-highest total for made field goals in a game so far this season
Game Notes
Nicolas Batum missed his fourth-straight game for the Hornets (toe)… Jeremy Lin left the game in the third quarter but did return (ankle)…The 83 points scored by the Hornets is a new season low, beating the previous mark of 87… Charlotte dropped to 7-8 this season against teams in the Western Conference.
Next Up
The Hornets will finish off their four-game road trip against the Nuggets at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10 in Denver. The game can be seen on FOX Sports Southeast or heard on WFNZ or on the official Charlotte Hornets mobile app.