CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Hornets were held without a field goal for the last seven minutes. And they still earned another victory.The surging Hornets are winning with defence these days.Kemba Walker scored 15 points, Bismack Biyombo had 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Charlotte edged the Miami Heat 78-76 on Wednesday night.The Hornets (18-25) have three in a row and eight of nine overall. The key has been the defensive side, with Charlotte holding its opponent to less than 100 points for 10 straight games.More than anything, were just trying to protect the paint, which has been a key for us, said Biyombo, who had two of Charlottes eight blocked shots and altered several others. Along the way, everybodys putting more into the defence.The Hornets had a 56-41 rebounding edge against the Heat, who played without Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng. They held Miami to 34.5 per cent shooting.Our communication has been great, Walker said of the Hornets defence. Were constantly talking and in the right spots. Its been picture perfect.Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade each had 17 points for the Heat (18-24).Miami had a chance to win the game on its final possession, but Bosh missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Mario Chalmers ran down the loose ball and fired up another 3 that missed from corner.I rushed it, Bosh said. I was not balanced. You have to find a way between not taking a quick shot and rushing it. I did not have my feet under me. I rushed the shot and it was a bad miss.Walker returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous two games with a left knee cyst. He was 4 for 17 from the field and had just one assist, but went 5 for 6 at the line in the final minute.Walker averaged 29.8 points in the six games before his knee began giving him problems.I felt a lot better than I expected, said Walker, who played 34 minutes. At first, I wasnt moving that well. But as the game went on, I got more and more comfortable.The Heat trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter, but took the lead with 3:37 left after Bosh and Chalmers hit back-to-back 3-pointers.Miami then struggled to score, and Walker made four free throws and Marvin Williams added one to get the lead back for Charlotte. Boshs driving layup trimmed the Hornets advantage to one with 15 seconds left.Walker made 1 of 2 free throws with 12 seconds remaining, leaving the door open for the Heat. But Miami was unable to score on its final possession and lost for the third time in four games.The Heat held the Hornets to 3-of-13 shooting from the field in the final period.Our best defensive quarter was the fourth quarter but that was needed in the first half, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.Said Wade: Down the stretch we got a lot of shots that we wanted and they just didnt go in.Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had eight points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte, and Cody Zeller had 12 rebounds.With Whiteside (sprained ankles) and Deng (illness) out, the injury-plagued Heat started their 17th different lineup of the season and struggled on the glass all night.___TIP-INSHeat: Udonis Haslem took a charge from Lance Stephenson in the fourth quarter. He has taken a team-leading nine charges.Hornets: Biyombo has four double-doubles in the last five games.JEFFERSON EASING BACK INAl Jefferson had 12 points for the Hornets in his second game back from a groin injury. He has been a reserve since his return for the first time since he was with the Boston Celtics in 2006.UP NEXTHeat: Host Indiana on Friday night.Hornets: Visit Cleveland on Friday night. Hassan Whiteside Jersey . Certainly not Monday night. George Hill took care of the early work, scoring a season-high 26 points, and Paul George closed it out by scoring 11 of his 26 points during a decisive second-half stretch that finally allowed Indiana to pull away from Minnesota 98-84 for yet another win. Tyler Johnson Jersey . LOUIS -- David Ross never expected to be on a World Series podium. http://www.authenticbasketballshopheat.info/glen-rice-heat-jersey/ .Johnny there, who knew he had that speed? teammate Tommy Wingels said.Scott and Matt Irwin were unlikely goal-scorers Tuesday night as the previously stingy San Jose Sharks finally sprung a leak or two, blowing a pair of three-goal leads before coming away with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals. Dion Waiters Jersey . Moments after his Brooklyn Nets teammates ran out onto the court to congratulate him following their 100-98 overtime win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, Johnson could only shake his head at scoring only 13 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Edrice Adebayo Jersey . Today, he looks at the offensive line. 1. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (OT, McGill) You Should Know: Over the course of his university career, Duvernay-Tardifs commitments to medical school and the family business frequently limited him to one practice per week, yet he was still the Metras Trophy winner as the Top Lineman in CIS football in 2013.EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Mitch Kupchak is confident Kobe Bryant will make an impressive return to the Los Angeles Lakers after losing last season to injuries.The general manager also realizes the Lakers chances of returning to the playoffs probably depend on it.I think hell be very effective, Kupchak said Friday. Im not going to predict what his statistics will be, but ... if we needed 30 or 35 (points) from him, I think he could get it.Kupchak radiated preseason optimism while discussing the Lakers prospects for a rebound from last springs disappointments. Los Angeles finished 27-55 and missed the playoffs for just the third time in 38 years, but the GM believes he has a playoff-contending roster in place around Bryant this fall.Still, much depends on the health of Bryant, who will make $48.5 million over the next two seasons. Just six games after he finally returned from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon last winter, Bryant broke a bone near his knee and was lost for the year.Kupchak has been watching Bryants recovery for several months, observing his workouts at the Lakers training complex and near his home in Orange County. Bryant has lost at least 10 pounds during the process, getting back down to his playing weight prior to the injuries.I think hes going to have an excellent year, Kupchak said. Hes going to play differently than he played 10 years ago. Maybe not so different than what he played two or three years ago, because if youve tracked his progress over the years ... hes gradually turned into a seasoned veteran, knowing when to turn it on.He goes to certain spots on the court. He doesnt take wild shots. He doesnt gamble as much on defence. I think youll see a player similar to what you saw two years ago. Hell do as much as he has to do to put us into the best chance to win.Health is the Lakers primary concern, and theyve got it so far. Steve Nash, who played in just 15 games last seasson, said he is in his best condition in the last two years, while new forward Carlos Boozer also appears to be revitalized after wearing down last season in Chicago.ddddddddddddYet the Lakers are very aware that Bryant turned 36 last month, and Nash is 40 as both guards head into their 19th NBA seasons. Kupchak would support Byron Scott if the new coach elects to limit the guards minutes or participation in back-to-back games, but theyll have time to discuss it after Los Angeles opens training camp Monday.If there is some kind of a mandate to restrict minutes or games, hopefully the players understand it and they work with Byron on it, Kupchak said, mindful of Bryants competitive nature.(Bryant) looks really good, says he feels great, Kupchak added. No ill effects on either injury. Steve Nash says he feels the best hes felt in a long time. Hes been working out, playing every day. ... I think were a little bit more apprehensive with Steve, naturally, because of what he went through last year and his age.The Lakers tried to get help for Bryant in the off-season, but free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony declined to join Kobe and the 16-time champions. Even Pau Gasol signed with the Bulls, spurning the Lakers and their fans who loved to hate him.Kupchak held up his summer personnel moves while courting the leagues top names, but came up empty.If you dont try, you dont know, Kupchak said. We went all-out to try to pursue (James and Anthony). I think we came close, I really do, but it doesnt really matter.So while the Lakers hope Nash stays healthy, Boozer and Jeremy Lin revitalize their careers, Nick Young keeps scoring and draft pick Julius Randle develops into an elite power forward, theyll continue to count on Bryant.Its comforting to know hell be here two more years, and hes healthy, Kupchak said. 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