Tweet
Hornets beat Heat 99-81 for third straight victory
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hornets coach Steve Clifford puts guard Nicolas Batum in lofty company.
After watching Batum register a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 99-81 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, Clifford mentioned him with other exceptional passers, such as Tracy McGrady, Rafer Alston and Steve Nash.
"They're not going to just pass to a guy where (scoring) is going to be a problem," Clifford said. "That's how Nic plays. Watch him. The only time he looks a guy off is when he knows that's not a good option. That's how he thinks the game."
It was his Batum's fifth career triple-double, and it helped the Hornets (13-8) push a lead past the 30-point mark in the second half of the Eastern Conference matchup. Charlotte acquired Batum as part of a roster overhaul in the offseason, in a trade with Portland for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh.
"I'm blessed they've embraced me," said Batum, whom the Houston Rockets drafted in the first round in 2008.
After watching Batum register a triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 99-81 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, Clifford mentioned him with other exceptional passers, such as Tracy McGrady, Rafer Alston and Steve Nash.
"They're not going to just pass to a guy where (scoring) is going to be a problem," Clifford said. "That's how Nic plays. Watch him. The only time he looks a guy off is when he knows that's not a good option. That's how he thinks the game."
It was his Batum's fifth career triple-double, and it helped the Hornets (13-8) push a lead past the 30-point mark in the second half of the Eastern Conference matchup. Charlotte acquired Batum as part of a roster overhaul in the offseason, in a trade with Portland for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh.
"I'm blessed they've embraced me," said Batum, whom the Houston Rockets drafted in the first round in 2008.