Charlotte Hornets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Box Score on Dec 11, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 11, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Dwight Howard scored 23 points and Kemba Walker added 19 as the Charlotte Hornets used a big third quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-103 on Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Charlotte (10-16) snapped a three-game losing streak by earning just its second win in nine games.

The Thunder (12-14) failed at yet another attempt to crawl back to .500. Oklahoma City has lost three games with a chance to even its record since Nov. 15, when it was 7-7.

When Russell Westbrook drove to the basket, dunked and then sneered at the Hornets' bench at the midpoint of the third quarter, the game was tied at 66.

However, in the final six minutes of the third, the Hornets outscored the Thunder 26-8. Charlotte hit four 3-pointers during that stretch -- one turning into a four-point play.

The Hornets were 7 of 10 from behind the 3-point arc during their 40-point third quarter.

Charlotte was playing without Nic Batum, who missed the game due to soreness in the left elbow he injured in the preseason. However, the Hornets got plenty of offense elsewhere, especially with Oklahoma City's top defender, Andre Roberson, out of the lineup.

In addition to Howard and Walker, four more Hornets finished in double figures. Marvin Williams added 18, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 17 and Jeremy Lamb 14. Treveon Graham came off the bench to score a career-high 12.

Charlotte shot 53.1 percent from the field and 52 percent from 3-point range (13 of 25).

Westbrook led the Thunder with 30 points and seven assists. Paul George added 20 in his first game back after missing two consecutive games with a calf injury. Steven Adams had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Oklahoma City was just 9 of 26 from behind the 3-point arc, including 2 of 7 from Alex Abrines, who struggled to knock down open shots.

The Hornets improved to 2-10 on the road this season.

NOTES: Hornets C Cody Zeller will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, the team announced before the game. Zeller is expected to miss at least six weeks. ... Thunder G Andre Roberson missed his first game of the season with a left ankle sprain. Roberson was replaced in the lineup by Alex Abrines, who was making his third start after starting the previous two in place of F Paul George. ... Charlotte's 40 third-quarter points represented the second-most points in a quarter on the road in team history. The Hornets scored 42 at Sacramento in January 2016.