Hornets sting Celtics

Walker on the romp, scores 43

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Kemba Walker scored 43 points, giving him 103 in his last two games, and the Charlotte Hornets battled back to beat the Boston Celtics 117-112 on Monday night.

Walker followed up his NBA season-best 60-point effort in an overtime loss to the 76ers on Saturday night with another spectacular performance, scoring 21 in the fourth quarter and making 14 of 25 shots, including seven more 3-pointers.

Walker outdueled Boston’s Kyrie Irving, who finished with 27 points and 11 assists.

Jeremy Lamb had 18 points and Willy Hernangomez added 14 as the Hornets beat the Celtics for the first time in eight tries.

The Celtics entered the fourth quarter leading 87-84 and quickly stretched the lead to double digits behind Irving, who scored and was fouled on a drive.

But Walker refused to lose this time.

In other NBA games, it was Philadelphia 119-, Phoenix 114;  Pelicans 140, Spurs 126; Bucks 104, Nuggets 98; Pistons 113, Cavaliers 102; Grizzlies 98, Mavericks 88; Pacers 121, Jazz 94; Clippers 127, Hawks 119.