NBA Power Rankings: Here comes the trade deadline

The Hornets continue their resurgence with Steve Clifford back on the bench, winning three of their four games this week. The Hornets weren’t able to overcome the Pacers energy in the fourth quarter — they were outscored 24-18 in the final frame, and they lost 105-96. Kemba Walker helped lead the Hornets to wins in the next two games, a 123-110 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on the road and a 133-126 revenge game against the Pacers back home. Walker had a career-high nine 3-pointers against the Hawks, and Dwight Howard picked up another double-double against the team that traded him to Charlotte in a salary dump in the offseason.

Walker scored 41 points against the Pacers in their second matchup this week, helping Charlotte run out to 49 points in the first quarter. The Hornets made 19 of their 23 field goal attempts in the first quarter, and the 49 points is a franchise-record for points scored in a single quarter. The Hornets reserves helped deliver a win against the Phoenix Suns to close out the week, spurring a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter to lead them to a come from behind, 115-110 victory.