| |
|
NBA PLAYOFFS -- Kemba's star is rising
By Eugene Nepangue
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Apr 2016
CHARLOTTE -- After 12 agonizing years, the Charlotte Hornets finally won another playoffs game when they toppled the Miami Heat, 115-97, in Game 3 of their ongoing opening round series last week. Two nights later, at the Time Warner Cable Arena, the Hornets toppled the Heat anew, 89-85, tying the best-of-7 duel at 2-2.
Of the many players that point to Charlotte's success, no Hornet is shining brighter than Kemba Walker, the 6-foot-1, 175-pound scoring machine out of the University of the Connecticut.
The 9th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Walker is heating up this postseason. Through four games thus far, the 25-year old is averaging 24.8 points per while shooting a staggering 95.8 percent from the free throw stripe. In Game 4 against the Heat, Walker exploded for 34 points, pulling the 6th seeded Hornets even with No.3 ranked Miami.
Beating the mighty Heat twice required help from other Hornets. And that hasn't been an issue thus far as reserve guard Jeremy Lin (14.8 points, 2.5 assists per game) and center Al Jefferson (14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds per) have stepped up to the plate and delivered. Big men Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky had put in their fair share as well, combining for 15.1 points and 9.6 boards a contest.
But so far, it's looking like the Hornets can only go as far as Kemba can take them, especially now that Nicolas Batum is out with an injury, creating a huge scoring void.
With the series now reduced to three games and Miami hosting Games 5 and 7 (if necessary) at the AmericanAirlines Arena, the road the second round remains an uphill climb for Charlotte. But so long as they have a healthy Kemba Walker, these Hornets will always have a puncher's chance.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eugene Nepangue.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Mar 2026Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
, Wed, 04 Mar 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
, Wed, 04 Mar 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
, Tue, 03 Mar 2026“Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
, Mon, 02 Mar 2026Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
, Sun, 01 Mar 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
