The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 100 - 96, at Spectrum Center on Friday. The battle of Southeastern Division rivals lived up to its billing, with the Hornets (8 - 3) pulling away in the fourth quarter of what was an exciting nip - and - tuck contest. Nicolas Batum, Kemba Walker and Cody Zeller ripped off a trio of 20 - point efforts to spearhead the win, which helped overcome a collective 41 percent field - goal percentage. In contrast, the Hawks (9 - 3) tallied a superior 46 percent success rate, but did turn the ball over 16 times, five more than Charlotte. Despite the defeat, Atlanta can take solace in the effort put in by the returning Dwight Howard, who hauled in 18 boards and also contributed 10 points, two assists, three steals and two blocks. The Hawks were led by Paul Millsap, who posted a 22 - point, 13 - rebound double - double that also included an assist and a block. Kent Bazemore followed with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. Dennis Schroder contributed 11 points, five assists, a rebound and a steal. Mike Muscala, who turned in a strong performance in Howard's stead on Wednesday, was productive off the bench, totaling 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block. Batum paced the Hornets with 24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. Zeller was outstanding in compiling a season - high 23 points, as he shot 9 - of - 10 from the field and also hauled in three boards, an assist, three blocks and two steals. Walker, who totaled 21 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals, helped seal the victory with a go - ahead jumper with 4:3 remaining that he followed up with an acrobatic highlight - reel layup and three - point jumper shortly thereafter. While Marvin Williams was only able to muster eight points, he did haul in 11 rebounds and dished out three assists. The Hawks head to New York for a Sunday afternoon date with the Knicks, while the Hornets head to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans on Saturday night.
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 "TeamStat(G,'Hawks') has 46 Percentage of field goals ,has 3 Losses ,has 96 Total points ,has 16 Points in 4th quarter ,has 16 Turnovers ,has 9 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kent Bazemore') has 2 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 19 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Field goals made ,has 3 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Paul Millsap') has 1 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 22 Field goals attempted ,has 13 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dwight Howard') has 2 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 10 Field goals attempted ,has 18 Field goals made ,has 3 Points ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dennis Schroder') has 5 Assists ,has 11 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ,has 1 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Mike Muscala') has 2 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 11 Field goals attempted ,has 5 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Marvin Williams') has 3 Assists ,has 8 Blocks ,has 11 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Cody Zeller') has 1 Assists ,has 3 Blocks ,has 10 Field goals attempted ,has 9 Field goals made ,has 23 Points ,has 3 Total rebounds ,has 2 Steals ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Nicolas Batum') has 4 Assists ,has 24 Blocks ,has 10 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kemba Walker') has 6 Assists ,has 21 Blocks ,has 5 Field goals attempted ,has 2 Field goals made ."]