CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker missed a layup, and then a desperation heave from 36 feet as the Portland Trail Blazers escaped with a 93-91 victory Saturday at Spectrum Center.
The loss was the Hornets' third in a row, dropping them to 10-19. The Blazers improved to 16-13.
The Hornets had abundant chances to at least force overtime late in the game. Walker (14 points) missed a layup on the second-to-last possession, and Jeremy Lamb missed a follow-up 3-pointer.
Portland guard C.J. McCollum scored 25 points, while Damian Lillard finished with 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.
The Hornets had a chance to take back the lead with under a minute left when Walker stole the ball at midcourt. However, Portland forward Al-Farouq Aminu blocked Walker's transition layup from behind.
Then, with 32 seconnds left, Blazers forward Evan Turner threw an inbounds pass out of bounds, giving the Hornets the ball down one.
Walker missed a pull-up jump shot from about 18 feet. McCollum made one of two free throws, giving the Hornets back the ball with 16 seconds left.
Nic Batum led the Hornets with 23 points.
