The Charlotte Hornets are ecstatic the duo of Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin have picked this time of season to raise their profile.

Quick now, count the number of times you've heard the combo of Walker and Lin mentioned this season among the NBA's best back-court tandems. Now, ask yourself if any duo in the league have wreaked more havoc thus far over the postseason.

As much as they'd rather not be forced to have to respond to such talk, the Miami Heat have definitely come to have an answer.

Lin, Walker Leading Charge Against Heat

In a word, the Hornets have been torture for the once heavily favored Heat over the series' last three games. And the rising duo of Lin and Walker has been the primary source of all their suffering.

Heading into Friday night's potential Game 6 clincher, the tandem is averaging 37 points, six rebounds and six assists in leading Charlotte to a 3-2 series lead. Over the Hornets' three straight wins, the two have raised the ante to the tune of 39 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

For comparisons sake, the latter batch of numbers even top the averages of Golden State's Steph Curry and Klay Thompson (38 points, eight rebounds and seven assists).

As duo's go, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving's averages of 50 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists are greater, but an argument can be made that Lin and Walker's contributions have been more impactful given they've come with their team pitted against a much tougher opponent.

Duo Always Thought They'd hit it off

Let Lin tell it, the way things are right now is just the way the two envisioned they would be when he signed on witht the Hornets as a free agent during the offseason.

"The first thing I texted him was, 'I'm looking forward to coming here and taking some of the pressure off you.'"

Consider mission accomplished, at least where the postseason is concerned. With just a win separating them from the team's first second round playoff appearance in history, Lin's aggressive style has seemingly so rattled the Heat they can't get him off their minds.

"We've just got to watch out for him because he likes to throw his arms into people," said Miami center Hassan Whiteside. Collectively, Walker and Lin have drawn 59 fouls on the Heat defense.

"I think last game they were a little bit more committed to putting two (defenders) on the ball at an earlier stage," Lin said of the Heat's desperate, on-the-fly attempts to slow him and Walker. "Maybe not deep in the paint, but a little further out."

But the end result was the same as it's been over the last three games, and neither Lin or Walker have any plans of changing what they've been doing.

"(When) me and Jeremy are in attack mode, getting into the lane, we're able to dish the ball out and get some (open) 3s," Walker said. "It's definitely helped us, especially last game."

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