Howard, Walker lead Hornets to win

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Dwight Howard said he was tired. He called his legs “noodly” and “wobbly.”

“My legs and mind wasn’t on the same page,” the Charlotte center explained. “Next time, I’ve got to make sure they’re on the same page so I can get more rebounds for the team and we can get a good win.”

Even with his exhaustion, Howard dominated the interior Thursday night, grabbing a season-high 24 rebounds while adding 15 points as his Hornets topped the Brooklyn Nets 111-96.

Kemba Walker led Charlotte with 31 points on 12-of22 shooting as the Hornets improved to 25-33 with their second straight win. All five Charlotte starters scored in double digits and the Hornets hit 52.4 percent from 3-point range.

Dante Cunningham had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who lost their eighth straight game and fell to 19-41.

D’Angelo Russell, starting for the first time since November knee surgery, scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting.

Howard set the tone from the start, with 10 points and 11 rebounds after just 10 minutes of play in the first quarter in leading the Hornets to a 32-28 edge.

“That first quarter really hurt us,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It wasn’t going as well with Dwight Howard in there, but we all have to help him (center Jarrett Allen) and do a better job; that is a load and a half.”

Hornets coach Steve Clifford, who was an assistant in Orlando when Howard began his NBA career there, said he is surprised the 32-year-old who has had both knee and back surgery still is capable of nearing his career high in rebounds (26).