Hornets at Jazz
THE STORY: The Utah Jazz have found the road to be an unfavorable place in the early going, so perhaps some home cooking will help. The Jazz have lost all three of their games away from EnergySolutions Arena, with their lone winning coming at home over Philadelphia. Utah opens a three-game homestand by welcoming the New Orleans Hornets on Monday. The defensive-minded Hornets have dropped two straight and will be playing the second of back-to-backs on the road. Utah plays 12 of its next 15 at home, something coach Tyrone Corbin believes will be advantageous. "It's huge for us to come out and take care of our business at home," Corbin said. "Typically, younger teams play better at home. We're expecting a better effort, better results in going at it at home."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Cox Sports (New Orleans), ROOT Sports (Utah)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (2-2): Following consecutive victories to open the season, the Hornets have struggled in their past two games, combining to score 158 points. They are averaging only 86.7 points per game - 28th in the NBA. It hasn’t helped that leading-scorer Eric Gordon has been sidelined since the season opener because of a bruised right knee. The Hornets are getting it done defensively, however, leading the league in rebounding (50.7) and points allowed (85.0).
ABOUT THE JAZZ (1-3): Al Jefferson returned to the lineup after missing a game because of a right ankle injury to post 21 points and 11 rebounds in Saturday’s 104-89 loss to San Antonio. The Jazz shot 35 percent and had only 11 assists in the setback. Utah’s three losses have come by an average of 19.0 points. Starters Devin Harris, Gordon Hayward and Raja Bell have combined to shoot 35 percent from the floor to date.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Point guard Jarrett Jack is averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 assists as Chris Paul’s replacement.
2. Gordon is expected to be out of the lineup for a fourth game in a row.
3. Utah has won 13 of the past 17 meetings with New Orleans.