Jeremy Lin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin has finally overcame his shooting slump, but it was not enough to help the Charlotte Hornets win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Lin scored 15 points and shot 57.1 percent (4 out of 7) from the field while playing 21 minutes of action in Hornets' 76-87 loss against the Hawks.
It was a decent outing for Lin, who was shooting a dismal 31.1 percent in the past four games. However, his production off the bench was not enough to put the Hornets ahead of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference standings.
Marvin Williams finished with 16 points, but Kemba Walker, who led the East this month in scoring with an average of 24.1 points, only had nine points on three of 15 shooting.
Kent Bazemore led the Hawks with 14, while Al Horford and Paul Millsap had 13 points apiece.
Hornets head coach Steve Clifford said his team will have a chance to improve if they remain motivated despite losing road games.
"If we leave here being happy because we had a 3-2 road trip, we'll never be that good of a team," Clifford said, reports ESPN.
"If we leave here disappointed because we laid an egg when with a chance to go 4-1, then we have a chance to move forward."
But the shooting percentage was the least of Lin's worries as he finds himself suddenly battling for minutes with newly acquired guard Courtney Lee.
Upon acquiring Lee from the Grizzlies Memphis in a three-way trade, the Hornets immediately put him on a starting role and took away some of Lin's minutes at the shooting guard position.
Lee's offense is not in full effect yet in Charlotte, averaging only 7.2 points in four games with the Hornets. But his experience and size give him the advantage to be the first option ahead of Lin.
Meanwhile, the Hornets will host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday and will get back on the road the following day against the Philadelphia 76ers.
