76ers at Hornets
THE
STORY: The Philadelphia 76ers
conclude a season-opening five-game road trip when they visit the New Orleans
Hornets on Wednesday. Philadelphia has split the four games and the two
victories were impressive – 103-83 over Phoenix and 107-79 over Golden State. The
76ers should be well-rested for the finale since they haven’t played since
routing the Warriors on Saturday. Philadelphia plays its first home game of the
season on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. New Orleans has lost three
straight games and could be without guard Eric Gordon for the fifth straight
game. Gordon made the game-winning shot against Phoenix in his franchise debut
but bruised his right knee earlier in the contest and hasn’t played since. The
Hornets have struggled offensively without him but have played well
defensively. New Orleans is allowing just 89 points per game and holding
opponents to 41.7 percent shooting from the field.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
(Philadelphia), Cox Sports (New Orleans)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (2-2): Philadelphia
has received unbelievable play from center Spencer Hawes, who is averaging 12
points and 12.5 rebounds and shooting 67.7 percent from the field. Hawes has
three double-doubles and has grabbed 11 or more boards in all four games. The
question is whether the 7-foot-1 Hawes can continue to play so well. He averaged
7.2 points and 5.7 rebounds last season and has been prone to disappearing in
games throughout his first four NBA seasons.
ABOUT
THE HORNETS (2-3): New
Orleans has been an abysmal outside shooting team without Gordon and has made
just 17.9 percent of its 3-point shots. Marco Belinelli has seven of the team’s
12 3-point baskets but has a porous 26.9 success rate. Productive Jarrett Jack
(16.5 points, 8.0 assists) is just 1-for-11 from behind the arc. The woes have
shown how important Gordon’s presence will be when he returns to health as
nobody else on the Hornets call fill up the hoop the way he can.
BUZZER
BEATERS:
1. The 76ers have lost three of their four past games in New Orleans.
2. Hornets forward Trevor Ariza suffered a groin injury during Monday’s loss to
Utah and it’s unclear whether he’ll play against Philadelphia.
3. Philadelphia forward Elton Brand (8.3 ppg) is off to a slow start but is
averaging 20.3 points in 30 career games against the Hornets.