The Sports Xchange
Dec 23, 2017
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dwight Howard had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets salvaged a weekend split against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 111-106 victory on Saturday night at the Spectrum Center.
The Hornets rallied from an 18-point deficit in the third quarter after the Bucks opened the second half with a 19-2 run to make it 73-55.
Ultimately, the Hornets won thanks to free throws, as they attempted 40 free throws to Milwaukee's 17. Michael Carter-Williams' two free throws with 8.4 seconds left pushed a two-point lead to 107-103 and then Kemba Walker tacked on four more free throws in the final six seconds.
The Bucks defeated the Hornets 109-104 in Milwaukee on Friday.
The Bucks were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out with soreness in his right knee. Antetokounmpo came into the game as the NBA's second-leading scorer at 29.6.
The Hornets (12-21) also got 19 points from Walker, 14 each from Treveon Graham and Frank Kaminsky, 13 from Jeremy Lamb, and 12 from Nicolas Batum.
The Bucks (17-14) were led by Khris Middleton with 31 points. Eric Bledsoe and John Henson scored 16 each.
The Hornets led 24-23 after one quarter. The Bucks led 54-53 at halftime and 85-81 after three quarters.
NOTES: The teams split the four-game series 2-2. The Bucks also won 103-94 in Milwaukee on Oct. 23 while the Hornets prevailed 126-121 in Charlotte on Nov. 1. ... The Bucks scored the last nine points Friday night after the Hornets led by as many as 12. ... The Bucks were also without F Mirza Teletovic (left knee surgery) and F Jabari Parker (left knee surgery). ... The Hornets were without F Cody Zeller (left knee surgery). ... The Hornets are 3-8 since coach Steve Clifford left the team to deal with an unspecified health issue. There is still no time frame on Clifford's return. ... The Hornets recalled G Julyan Stone from Greensboro of the G League on Saturday. ... The Bucks will host Chicago on Tuesday. ... The Hornets will be off until Wednesday, when they will host Boston.