CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ On a night when the Charlotte Hornets were revealed to be in the market for Memphis big man Marc Gasol, they stumbled badly with their current lineup, losing a 20-point lead and the game to the L.A. Clippers, 117-115.
The Clippers got 34 points from Tobias Harris, including his floater in the lane with 4.3 seconds for the winning points. Charlotte's last-chance shot _ a long two-pointer from Marvin Williams _ was an air-ball.
The Hornets are trying to acquire Gasol, 34, before Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. It is unknown what Charlotte would give up for the 7-footer, who is averaging 15.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season for Memphis and making $24 million to do so.
Charlotte (26-27) led 88-68 in the third quarter before Harris and Lou Williams (31 points) shot the Clippers right back into the game.
The Hornets were paced by All-Star point guard Kemba Walker, who had 32 points and nine assists in front of the 14,300 fans at the Spectrum Center. Walker had a four-point play during his 18-point second quarter. By halftime, he had 25 points, and the Hornets led, 58-53. The Hornets tried to get Walker the ball on the final play of the game but couldn't, leaving Marvin Williams (who shot 4 for 15) to misfire.
Walker will have a busy All-Star Weekend in Charlotte in about 10 days. He was elected as a starter at guard for the Feb. 17 game and also was announced Tuesday as a competitor of the 3-point contest on Feb. 16th, when he will compete against brothers Steph and Seth Curry, among others.
