Bobcats at Hornets
THE STORY:
The New Orleans Hornets might never have a better opportunity to earn
their 11th win than Monday, when they host the NBA-worst Charlotte
Bobcats. The Hornets have the worst record in the Western Conference but
finally reached double figures in wins on Saturday when they took out
the depleted Minnesota Timberwolves to snap a four-game slide. The
Bobcats are the only team in the league averaging fewer points than New
Orleans and had their most recent losing streak hit three games over the
weekend. Charlotte is 2-19 on the road.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Bobcats), CST (Hornets)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (5-34):
Charlotte has actually surpassed its season scoring average in four of
the last five games, it just hasn’t gotten the stops it needed at the
other end. The Bobcats put up 95 points at Oklahoma City on Saturday -
but gave up 122. Charlotte is tinkering with its rotation and looking
for any signs from players that they might want to be part of a winning
Bobcats team some day. Veteran forward Corey Maggette has been coach
Paul Silas’ one consistent scoring threat of late, averaging 23.5 points
while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor in the last four
contests.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-31): New Orleans is
searching for hope for the future as well, while looking forward to
Thursday’s trade deadline. The Hornets have had center Chris Kaman on
the block off and on since acquiring the big man as part of the Chris
Paul trade in December. Kaman has done nothing to diminish his value and
was the star of Saturday’s win at Minnesota, putting up 20 points and
six rebounds in the 95-89 triumph. New Orleans will play six of its next
seven at home, where it is only 4-16.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. New Orleans has taken four of the last five meetings, including both last season.
2. Maggette has put up 16.6 points in 25 career games against the Hornets.
3. Charlotte has been letting top assistant Stephen Silas handle some in-game coaching of late.