Hornets at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Portland Trail Blazers are on the edge of the Western Conference playoff race and time is running out in terms of making a late push. The right opponent is in town as Portland is 3-0 against the New Orleans Hornets this season. The Trail Blazers are 3 1/2 games out of the eighth and final Western Conference spot. New Orleans registered a 15-point road win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Cox Sports (New Orleans), Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (13-37): New Orleans was even more shorthanded than usual with forward Trevor Ariza (ankle) and center Chris Kaman (flu) sidelined but still notched an impressive victory over the Warriors. Marco Belinelli scored 22 points while Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry each tallied 20 points. Guard Eric Gordon (knee) has played in just two games all season and center Emeka Okafor (knee) hasn’t played since the Hornets lost to the Trail Blazers on Feb. 10. New Orleans scored 102 points to match its highest total since a 117-108 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 21. The Hornets have topped 100 just six times all season.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (23-27): Forward J.J. Hickson opened some eyes with a terrific performance against Oklahoma City. Hickson had a season-high 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting in his third game with Portland after being claimed off waivers from the Sacramento Kings. “I’m doing a good job of making myself available and getting the ball where I know I can score and playing towards my strength,” Hickson said. “My strength is getting to the rim and grinding it out and doing the dirty work.” Portland doesn’t yet know whether point guard Raymond Felton will be available. Felton left the team earlier in the week to be with his mother, who reportedly underwent a heart procedure.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland has limited New Orleans to an average of 79 points per game in this season’s three victories.
2. The Hornets have been better on the road (8-16) than at home (5-21).
3. Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford is just 9 of 49 from the field over the last five games.