Basketball New Zealand

Sean Marks

Associated Press
Sean Marks came up empty as he searched his memory for the last time he was on the court in the final minutes of a close game.

Yet the Hornets’ backup big man came through in the waning moments against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Marks dunked with 7.8 seconds left to cap a career-high 18-point effort, and the short-handed Hornets overcame the ejection of David West in a 101-97 victory.

“I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I was in a game, down the stretch, game on the line,” said Marks, a native New Zealander and career reserve in his ninth NBA season.

“I’m not usually in the game at that time, but it was a chance for all of us to sort of rally around having all these guys out, which makes it tough, but at the same time it’s a good opportunity for all of us.”

The Hornets escaped with the victory only because they got the best performances they’ve seen from Marks, acquired in the offseason, and point guard Antonio Daniels, who arrived in a trade after the season began.

Marks also had a block in the fourth quarter and finished with five rebounds and an assist in 24 minutes.

The Hornets got 42 points from reserves, including nine points from James Posey.

Jefferson had all of his points during the first three quarters. Swarmed by defenders in the final period, he got off only two shots and missed both. He then landed awkwardly on his right leg after attempting to block Marks’ dunk attempt with 27.2 seconds to go. Jefferson was called for a foul on the missed shot, then hopped toward the sideline before falling to the floor.

Marks made only one free throw to put New Orleans up 95-94, then Marks fouled Minnesota’s Randy Foye, who made both free throws to put Minnesota back in the lead with 16.8 seconds left.

Brown tried to respond with a drive inside while guarded by Sebastian Telfair and the ball popped loose — right to Marks in the paint, who quickly threw down a two-handed dunk.

“It was basically being lucky,” Marks said. “That wasn’t exactly the play. I wish I could say that was what we drew up.”

Marks, who set a new career season-high for games played last week in surpassing his 25 games from the 2005-06 season with the San Antonio Spurs, shot 6-of-8 from the field and 6-of-9 from the foul-line, adding five rebounds, an assist and block in 24 minutes off the bench, beating his previous career-high by two points.

His previous career-bests of 16 points came on April 16, 2008 with the Phoenix Suns against the Portland Trailblazers, and February 8, 2006 with San Antonio against the Toronto Raptors.

This week, Marks also had four points (2/7 FG), six rebounds and a steal in 22 minutes in an 85-80 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, and provided five points (2/4 FG, 1/2 FT), four rebounds, an assist, steal and block in 18 minutes in a home loss against the NBA champion Boston Celtics on Thursday, his 31st appearance of the season.