Hornets at Spurs
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs attempt to win their 10th consecutive contest when they host the New Orleans Hornets on Friday. San Antonio has won 12 of 13 games after beating the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and is just one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for best record in the Western Conference. The woeful Hornets have guard Eric Gordon back from a knee injury and are looking to avoid a four-game season sweep by the Spurs.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Cox Sports Television (New Orleans), Fox Sports Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (14-40): Gordon hadn’t played since Jan. 4 before returning against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and sinking the winning free throws with 2.1 seconds to play. Gordon scored 15 points in 34 minutes and pronounced afterwards that his right knee felt fine. Gordon hit just three of 11 field-goal attempts and had just two points in the first half before finding his comfort level. “I started getting back together in the second half,” Gordon said. “First game in a long time for me and in the first half, it showed. Gordon has played in just three games with the Hornets after being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal for Chris Paul.
ABOUT THE SPURS (38-14): The nine-game winning streak isn’t even San Antonio’s best of the season. The Spurs won 11 consecutive games during a span of more than three weeks before the Portland Trail Blazers beat them on Feb. 21. Forward Tim Duncan had 16 rebounds against Boston for his sixth 15-rebound effort of the season. Duncan’s top offensive performance of the season game against New Orleans on Jan. 23 when he had 28 points and made the game-winning basket. Duncan has 19 double-doubles this season and the Spurs are 17-2 in those contests.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio has won 13 of its last 15 home games against the Hornets.
2. Spurs guard Tony Parker is averaging 11.3 assists against New Orleans this season and had a season-best 17 against the Hornets on Jan. 23.
3. Hornets guard Jarrett Jack (ankle) is questionable and missed the victory over the Nuggets.