Walker scores 27 as Hornets beat 76ers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. >> Kemba Walker had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 10091 on Friday night, leaving them on the verge of clinching an Eastern Conference playoff spot.

The Hornets (44-31) can wrap up a postseason berth for the second time in three seasons if Detroit beats Chicago on Saturday night.

Walker had three 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Nicolas Batum overcame a shaky start and had 19 points and seven assists for the Hornets, who have won 14 of their last 17 games and positioned themselves to potentially host a playoff series.

Al Jefferson chipped in with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Jerami Grant and Hollis Thompson each had 17 points, Carl Landry added 16 and Elton Brand chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds for Philadelphia.

After trailing by 16 in the third quarter, the 76ers clawed back to within four with five minutes remaining.

But the Hornet s stepped on the gas and left the Eastern Conference cellar dwellers in the dust.

Walker knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Batum found Cody Zeller for a dunk. After a 76ers timeout, Walker hit another 3 and Batum scored on a fade-away bank shot to push the lead safely back to 14.

With the win, the Hornets matched their best single-season win total since 2009-10, when they finished 44-38.

The Hornets closed the first half on a 30-18 run to take a 59-50 lead at the break behind 13 points from Walker and a pair of circus shots from Jeremy Lin.

Walker appeared more rested and sharp after only two games this week and drove by 76ers defenders like they were standing still at times. Lin had two incredible shots he threw up over his shoulder and got to fall in the first half, including one that resulted in an and-one.

But it was Marvin Williams who had the highlight of the night dunking over Landry after taking a give-and-go feed from Batum. The one-handed slam brought the sold-out crowd to its feet and sent Williams’ teammates on the bench literally throwing themselves on the floor in celebration.

Frank Kaminsky provided a big lift off the bench with eight points and five rebounds in the first half, helping the Hornets open a comfortable lead.

TIP-INS

76ers: Fell to 3-36 on the road this season. ... Thompson posted his 35th game in double-figure scoring.

Hornets: All five Hornets starters are shooting better than 75 percent from the free throw line this season. ... Steve Clifford, selected the Eastern Conference coach of the month, went over .500 (120-119) for his coaching career. ... The Hornets had their 13th sellout crowd of the season — a new Time Warner Cable Arena record.