Hornets’ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Diagnosed With Another Torn Labrum

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Kemba Walker scored 25 points and Jeremy Lamb had 16 as the suddenly surging Charlotte Hornets rolled to a 117-95 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

The former No. 2 overall pick out of Kentucky averaged 12.7 points and 6.4 rebounds the six-plus games he lasted this season.

The Pacers shot only 43.5 percent from the field in their most lopsided home loss this season. He has been the undeniable leader for the team but he needs consistent help from his teammates if they wish to continue their form. Charlotte extended its lead to 60-43 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half.

The Pacers were pretty lucky to escape with a win over the Lakers in their last outing, but I think they just might struggle against this streaky Hornets team who have been playing very good basketball lately.

A Walker layup gave the Hornets a 102-83 lead with 4:27 remaining and Charlotte continued to extend the advantage all the way to the final buzzer.

Jeremy Lin spurred the decisive second-quarter charge by scoring half of his 14 points during the initial spurt. Though the Hornets lacked a consistent 3-point shot through the first quarter, missing five of seven attempts, their spread look turned into their most effective weapon in the second.

Hornets: Al Jefferson- out (right knee). The Pacers started their big lineup with C Ian Mahinmi and rookie PF Myles Turner in place of C.J. Miles…. Charlotte’s bench outscored Indiana’s easily 54-33.

It’s a major damper for the Hornets, who had won five of those seven games since Kidd-Gilchrist came back.

The teams did meet in the preseason, in an exhibition game that was played at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.