Nicolas Batum #5 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after a play during their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Spectrum Center on November 2, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kemba Walker had 22 points, Nicolas Batum scored 17 of 20 points in a pivotal third quarter and the Charlotte Hornets handed the Philadelphia 76ers their fourth straight loss to open the season, 109-93 on Wednesday night.
Led by Batum, the Hornets opened the second half on a 16-2 run to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and gain control.
Batum, who came into game shooting just 27 percent from the field and was limited to three points in the first half, was 6 of 8 in the third quarter with three 3-pointers as the Hornets outscored the 76ers 39-20. The 76ers didn’t help themselves with eight turnovers in the third quarter that led to 12 Charlotte points.
Frank Kaminsky provided a huge boost off the bench for Charlotte (3-1), finishing with 14 points for his second-straight double-digit game since returning from a sprained foot. Cody Zeller added 13 points in his first game since receiving a $56 million contract extension earlier this week.
Ersan Ilyasova had 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in his first game with the 76ers since being acquired in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dario Saric also had 14 points
Batum came into the game shooting 27 percent from the field in the first three games of the season and 21 percent behind the arc.