CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Wednesday settled it: This five-game homestand will be just so-so for the Charlotte Hornets.
The Hornets fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 101-96, at Spectrum Center. That leaves them 2-2 in this stretch with Friday's home game against the Atlanta Hawks left before they play 10 of the next 12 on the road.
A turnover by point guard Kemba Walker (20 points, seven assists) in the last minute, looking to feed center Dwight Howard (22 points, 16 rebounds) in the post, extinguished the Hornets' chances. The Hornets fell to 19-27. The Pelicans improved to 26-21, as they chase a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Hornets fought back from an 11-point deficit in the first half, but never led by more than four points.
Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday led the Pelicans with 19 points apiece while DeMarcus Cousins added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
