Jeremy Lin and Kemba Walker star as Hornets level playoff series against Miami
Walker has first ever 30-point postseason game as Charlotte win back-to-back playoff games for first time since 2002
The Charlotte Hornets are right back in the NBA playoff after Jeremy Lin and Kemba Walker starred in a 89-85 win to tie the series against Miami Heat 2-2.
Walker had 34 points – his first ever 30-point post-season game – and Lin 21 and 3 assists to drive the Hornets to a narrow hard-fought win.
The Hornets were +20 with Lin on the floor and -13 with him off, according to ESPN Stats.
The Hornets hadn’t won a playoff game in 14 years before their first in this series at the weekend.
Walker scored 11 straight Charlotte points in the fourth quarter after Miami had cut the lead to two with 6:07 left. Courtney Lee sank two free throws with 4.6 seconds left after being fouled on an offensive rebound to seal the win.
Lee finished with 11 points and helped hold Dwyane Wade to 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
“We fought so hard tonight,” Lin said. “Up 18 and then all of sudden up one. We put everything out there and I’m glad we got the win.”