Nets fail to threaten, turn ball over 15 times in loss to Hornets

Brooklyn Nets coach Tony Brown argues a call during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Friday, April 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) Credit: AP/ Chuck Burton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kemba Walker scored 22 points, Troy Daniels made his first five three-point attempts and finished with 17 points, and the Charlotte Hornets completed a four-game season sweep of the Nets with a 113-99 win Friday night.
With the win, the Hornets (46-33) aensured that they’ll be no lower than the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Charlotte still has an outside shot of hosting a playoff series, but trails Boston and Miami for the fourth spot.
Walker notched his 41st game with 20 or more points this season. Nicolas Batum had 14 points and Marvin Williams added 12 for the Hornets, who improved to 29-11 at home.
Wayne Ellington had 21 points, and Thomas Robinson had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Nets, who have lost seven straight.
The Hornets began to take control midway through the third quarter.
Leading by 10, Batum sank a three-pointer from the wing and Walker drove the right side of the lane and scored on a leaning, one-handed up-and-under layup between two defenders. He capped the 7-0 run by scoring on a driving lefthanded layup following a Brooklyn turnover to push the lead to 17.
The Nets, who turned the ball over 15 times, never threatened after that.
Walker and Frank Kaminsky connected on 3s to push the lead to 20 after three quarters.
The Hornets shot 51 percent in the first half to take a 50-43 lead with Walker and Daniels combining for 20 points on six three-pointers.
Cody Zeller, who replaced Al Jefferson as the team’s starting center earlier this season, tied a career high with five blocked shots.
Robinson kept the Nets in the game early, recording a career-high 12 offensive rebounds before fouling out with 2:14 left in the game.
The Hornets had at least 10 three-pointers for the 49th time this season, which is second to only the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors (64).