Coming off a performance where Jeremy Lin played 50 minutes in a thrilling Hornets double OT victory, Lin played just 17 minutes as the Hornets were thumped by the Jazz, 102-73. Lin sprained his ankle in the third quarter — but he’d had little impact, having trouble making shots and — consequently — getting minutes as Hornets, with Nic Batum back, faced a Utah team they had beaten in another double OT game just the week before without Batum. Lin was 2-of-8. Batum was 2-of-9, playing almost 30 minutes.
Hornets coach Steve Clifford said the Hornets effort showed a “lack of force,” adding that the Jazz took away “our screening, our cutting, the fundamentals that make offense.” The Hornets couldn’t find a flow, as injuries keep forcing constant personnel changes and with healthy players’ playing time fluctuating accordingly. The Hornets, after a hot start, are 22-24. No timetable for Lin’s return was announced.
