T.J. McConnell: 'You're Not Gonna Overlook Us'
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Dario Saric had 18 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the slumping Charlotte Hornets 105-99 on Monday night for their third straight win.
Related: Brett Brown Using Nicolas Batum's Guarantee As Motivation
Charlotte guard Nic Batum failed to make good on his guarantee that the Hornets would beat the 76ers. He had 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting, but the Hornets lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
"You're not gonna overlook us," T.J. McConnell said after the game. "We're not a guarantee victory for the other team and if you guarantee stuff you better back it up."
Perhaps desperate to snap his team out of its losing ways, Batum told the Charlotte Observer after Saturday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that he was guaranteeing a win against Philadelphia.
Robert Covington had 17 points for the 76ers. T.J. McConnell added 14 points and seven assists.
Kemba Walker scored 29 points for the Hornets, who lost to the 76ers for the second time this season.
The 76ers led by eight entering the fourth quarter, but extended it to 98-84 on a driving layup by McConnell.
Charlotte would get it back to six with less than a minute to go when Walker hit a jumper. Batum had a chance to cut the lead to two when he stole the ball from Gerald Henderson in the backcourt, but his 3-point attempt from the corner hit the rim and bounced over the backboard and out of play.
Batum bent over, slumping his head in his hand knowing he had missed a golden opportunity.
TIP-INS
76ers: Joel Embiid (left knee contusion) and Jahil Okafor did not travel with the team.
Hornets: Frank Kaminsky started at center for Cody Zeller, who sat out with a quad contusion. ... General manager Rich Cho traded for Cleveland's Chris Andersen earlier in the day, then promptly released him. The Hornets gave up a protected second-round pick that will likely never be used for cash considerations from the Cavaliers. ... Miles Plumlee left the game in the second half with a strained right calf.
UP NEXT
76ers: Travel to play the Celtics on Wednesday night
Hornets: Travel to play the Raptors on Wednesday night.
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