The struggling New Orleans Hornets continue their four-game road trip Wednesday, when they take on the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans suffered its eighth consecutive loss on Tuesday, a 103-96 setback at Golden State. The contest was tied with just over four minutes remaining, but the Hornets were unable to move ahead.
"It's just a tough loss for us, especially when you tie it up, you have a chance to win," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "We just haven't found that closing mentality." The Clippers look to avenge their most recent loss and extend their winning streak to a franchise record-tying 11 games. Los Angeles has not been defeated since Nov. 26, when it dropped a 105-98 decision at home.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN (New Orleans), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (5-19): Williams tinkered with the starting lineup Tuesday, inserting rookie Anthony Davis and forward Lance Thomas for Ryan Anderson and Al-Farouq Aminu. Davis responded with his third career double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Anderson scored 28 points off the bench, giving him a 24.7 average over his last three contests. He recorded 17 points and eight boards in last month's victory over the Clippers.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (18-6): Blake Griffin had a miserable performance in last month's loss to New Orleans, scoring a career-low four points on 1-of-9 shooting while committing four turnovers before fouling out. He averaged 21.4 points and 11.8 rebounds in his previous five meetings with the Hornets. Chris Paul is averaging 23.5 points and 10 assists in four games against New Orleans, which traded him to Los Angeles last December.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers' longest winning streak of 11 games came in November 1974, when the franchise was known as the Buffalo Braves.
2. Greivis Vasquez has recorded 43 points and 22 assists over the first two games of New Orleans' road trip.
3. Los Angeles has shot under 45 percent and won in two of its last three games.
PREDICTION: Clippers 93, Hornets 83.