Charlotte beats Atlanta

Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore (right) attempts a pass around Charlotte’s Dwight Howard (12).

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kemba Walker scored 26 points, Dwight Howard had 20 points and 15 rebounds in his first home game with Charlotte, and the Hornets rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 109-91 on Friday night.

The Hornets trailed by as many as 20 in the first half, but used a 24-0 run in the third quarter to blow open the game and win their home opener.

Howard, who played last season for his hometown Hawks before being traded away, was unstoppable on the block. The 6-foot-11 eight-time AllStar used his strength to get great position down low and had his pick of shots close to the basket. The Hawks had nobody who could guard him consistently.

Howard punctuated the win by grabbing an offensive rebound with an outstretched hand and then elevating for a powerful two-handed dunk that brought the crowd to its feet with 4 minutes left. Howard left to a rousing ovation with 2:10 remaining in the game.

Charlotte turned the ball over 15 times in a sloppy first half and trailed 56-49 at the break.

But the game changed with 6:32 left in the third quarter.

Down 9, the Hornets held the Hawks scoreless for nearly 6 minutes while rattling off 24 straight points.

H o w a r d ’ s s t r e n g t h down low was a key to the run, and Walker started to heat up, beating defenders off the dribble. Rookie Dwayne Bacon put the Hornets ahead with 3:40 left in the third quarter with a 3-pointer from the right wing.

Some of the damage was self-inflicted by the Hawks, who missed easy shots, including an alleyoop Chuck Burton / The Associated Press

Hornets 109, Hawks 91

dunk attempt by Dewayne Dedmon.

Dennis Schroder had 25 points to lead the Hawks.