CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Nic Batum banked in a shot with 14 seconds left and made two more free throws, giving the Charlotte Hornets a 117-113 victory Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center.
The Hornets, who trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half, got back in the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 35-23 behind guard Kemba Walker's 15 points.
Walker's 28 total points led the Hornets, and Batum added 23 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Charlotte (16-13) remained in first place in the NBA Southeast Division with the victory.
The Lakers came out hot, jumping to a 61-42 lead in the second quarter. Los Angeles cooled off during the second half. The Lakers had a chance to retake the lead after Batum's late basket, but a 3-pointer by Nick Young (24 points) missed. Batum was fouled on the Hornets' final possession and his two free throws gave Charlotte its final margin.
