Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan reacts to a call in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kemba Walker and Marvin Williams scored 18 points apiece to lead the Charlotte Hornets to their third straight victory, 99-81 over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
Tyler Johnson scored 20 for Miami, which had won three of four. Dwyane Wade and Gerald Green each added 11.
Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb added 10 points apiece for the Hornets, who learned earlier in the day the NBA suspended injured center Al Jefferson for five games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program.
Jefferson, out with a strained left calf, will begin to serve the suspension when he returns to action.
Charlotte opened a 77-52 lead late in the third quarter on Cody Zeller's dunk. The Hornets pushed their lead to 65-44 with three straight 3-pointers spanning the halves, including two consecutive from PJ Hairston, his only points of the game.
Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lin, center, is squeezed between Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, left, and Chris Bosh, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Associated Press
Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade (3) drives past Charlotte Hornets' Marvin Williams (2) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Associated Press
Miami Heat's Gerald Green (14) is fouled by Charlotte Hornets' Spencer Hawes (00) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Associated Press
Charlotte Hornets' Spencer Hawes (00) drives between Miami Heat's Gerald Green (14) and Josh McRoberts (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
The Associated Press