Hornets at Nuggets
THE STORY: Two teams coming off one-point, last-second losses
will square off when the Denver Nuggets host the New Orleans Hornets on
Friday. Denver, playing the third of a season-high nine-game homestand,
had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 100-99 defeat to the
Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. New Orleans remained winless in the
second of its four-game road swing, dropping a 99-98 decision at
Sacramento on Wednesday. The Hornets fell to a Western Conference-worst
9-30 with their third straight loss.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CST (Hornets) Altitude (Nuggets)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (9-30):
Center Chris Kaman had his sixth double-double in seven games and
nearly registered his first career triple-double with 18 points, 11
rebounds and eight assists against the Kings. Kaman has been a savior
since he was moved into the starting lineup following the injury to
Emeka Okakor. Put on the inactive list when the team tried to deal him
in January and early February, the 7-foot veteran has averaged 16.6
points and 9.7 rebounds in his 12 starts.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (22-18):
The one positive in defeat for Denver was it continued to get its
lineup back intact. Center Nene made his second appearance and first
start after being sidelined 10 games and had 13 points and five
rebounds. Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari made his second straight
appearance off the bench following a 13-game injury absence and the rust
was evident – he went 2 of 10 from the field and scored a combined nine
points in the two games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Denver point guard Ty Lawson missed a layup at the buzzer Wednesday, but is averaging 19.2 points and 10.8 in his last five.
2. The away team has been victorious in the last four meetings.
3. The Hornets are 0-19 when they trail at halftime.