Hornets’ 14-year playoff jinx ends
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina—Jeremy Lin scored 18 points and Kemba Walker had 17 as Charlotte beat Miami, 96-80, on Saturday to snap a 12-game playoff losing streak and earn its first postseason victory in 14 years or since the Eastern Conference semifinals in the 2001-02 season.
Rookie Frank Kaminsky, who got the starting nod, scored eight of his 15 points during an 18-0 run in the third quarter that broke open a 53-all game. The Heat lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for Monday night.
Marvin Williams, a nonfactor in the first two games, had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets.
Luol Deng scored 19 points on five threepointers, and DwyaneWade added 17 for Mia- mi. Hassan Whiteside had 13 points and 18 rebounds but battled foul trouble.
In Indianapolis, George Hill and Ian Mahinmi each scored 22 points and Paul George added 19 as the Indiana Pacers beat the Toronto Raptors, 100-83, to tie the first-round playoff series at 2-2.
Game 5 in the best-of-seven series is Tuesday night in Toronto.
In Dallas, Russell Westbrook had 25 points and 15 assists as Oklahoma City beat Dallas, 119-108, to take a commanding 3-1 lead.
In Portland, Oregon, Damian Lillard scored 32 points and the Trail Blazers found their offense at home, beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 96-88 to pull within 2-1 in the Western Conference first-round series.