Jeremy Lin. (Photo : Getty Images)
Jeremy Lin put up another stellar performance before a sell-out crowd at Time Warner Cable Arena, racking up 21 points to go along with four assists as the Charlotte Hornets fended off the Miami Heat 89-85 in Game 4 to tie their Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2 on Monday.
Lin, who chipped in 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting in Game 3, continued to provide solid minutes off the bench as he 6-for-10 from the field to back up Kemba Walker, who exploded for 34 points in pivotal fourth game of the series.
The Hornets' lead ballooned to as many as 18 points but the Heat put up a big rally in the fourth quarter to cut down the lead to two points with 31 seconds left in the game. However, Courtney Lee converted his free-throws to put away the visiting team for good.
"We fought so hard tonight," Lin told reporters after the game via ESPN. "Up 18 and then all of sudden up one. We put everything out there and I'm glad we got the win."
After losing their first two games on the road, the Hornets came out big at home with the backcourt combination of Walker and Lin leading the charge. Charlotte already lost versatile forward Nicolas Batum prior to Game 4 with a left foot strain, but Lin stepped up to the plate and gave the Hornets another offensive option outside the red-hot Walker.
Free-Agency Watch - Jeremy Lin
Already rated no.4 among incoming free-agent points guard on Yahoo Sports free-agency guide list, Lin's terrific performance in the past two games has certainly boosted his stock for this summer.
Lin, who averaged at least 11 points, 3 dimes and 3 boards in the regular-season, has been an integral piece for Hornets' return to playoff contention this season, giving the team more flexibility and depth at point guard position. Yet, this playoff numbers he has been putting will give more leverage to ask for a payhike this offseason.
The Hornets will have a hard time locking up Lin, but it's hard to imagine Michael Jordan will let Lin walk away with the way he has performed for his team. The Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks Houston Rockets and even the Toronto Raptors are the likely suitors for the former Harvard standout.
