Hornets at Nets
THE STORY: Two of the NBA’s worst teams meet when the New Jersey Nets host the New Orleans Hornets. The two squads have just 25 combined wins between them and both are well out of the playoff chase. New Jersey has lost three of four games as it opens a three-game homestand, but the Nets are just 5-15 at home. New Orleans has lost seven of its last eight games and is just 6-15 on the road.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Cox Sports (New Orleans), YES (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (10-34): New Orleans had its best day of the season Friday and it didn’t play a game. The franchise reached an agreement in principle with Louisiana state officials on a deal that would keep the team in the New Orleans Arena through 2024. The deal calls for $50 million in facility improvements. The league-owned Hornets are still seeking a new owner and the stability of a deal is expected to aid in the search. The deal still needs legislative approval.
ABOUT THE NETS (15-30): Star guard Deron Williams has missed four straight games with a calf injury and New Jersey was woefully understaffed during Friday’s loss to the Orlando Magic. The Nets had just 10 players in uniform as guard Jordan Farmer (groin) and new acquisition Gerald Wallace were among the missing. The five starters combined for only 27 points, with DeShawn Stevenson the only one to reach double figures with 11 points. “A tough one for us,” New Jersey coach Avery Johnson said. “Seven points (for the starters) at the half, I don’t think I’ve seen that in a long time, if ever.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. New Orleans has won seven of the last 10 meetings.
2. Hornets forward Trevor Ariza is just 15 of 47 from the field over the last five contests.
3. Nets forward Kris Humphries had just four points and three rebounds against Orlando after averaging 23.5 points and 19.5 rebounds the previous two games.