Walker’s 30 helps Hornets halt 5-game skid

Walker, Hornets Snap Slide

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Kemba Walker scored 30 points, and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Orlando Magic 98-90 on Saturday night to stop a five-game losing streak.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, which dropped each of its first two games this season against Orlando. Gary Neal added 16 points and Cody Zoeller finished with 12.

Victor Oladipo scored 21 points for the Magic, and Nik Vucevic had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Tobias Harris also had a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards.

Orlando has lost three in a row.

The Hornets outscored the Magic 30-9 in the second quarter, including a 23-0 run in the final seven minutes of the period. Gerald Henderson made 1 of 2 foul shots with 1.1 seconds left to make it 52-29 at the break

Charlotte limited Orlando to 2-of-17 shooting and forced six turnovers in the second quarter.

The Magic rallied in the fourth, trimming the Hornets’ lead to 91-84 on Elfrid Payton‘s three-point play with 1:01 to go. But Walker and Zeller combined for six free throws in the final minute to help Charlotte close out the win.

Orlando shot 38 percent (33 for 87) from the field, including a 4-for-19 night from 3-point range.

Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

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