Hornets at Jazz
The Utah Jazz are attempting to rebound from the worst home loss in franchise history when they host the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. Utah was routed 125-80 by the Houston Rockets on Monday and the 45-point margin was the fifth-largest loss in franchise history and the worst in a home game. It certainly was surprising as the Jazz typically play very well at home. New Orleans lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The Hornets have lost the first two contests of a five-game road excursion. New Orleans trailed by 18 midway through the final quarter against the Lakers before a spirited rally allowed them to lose by just five points. Eric Gordon made six 3-pointers and scored 25 points. Utah is playing the third contest of a stretch in which seven of eight games are at home. The Jazz are 15-5 at home but trailed by as many as 50 points in Monday’s porous performance.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports New Orleans, ROOT (Utah)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (15-30): Gordon had a season-best scoring output in the loss to Los Angeles as he continues to improve his conditioning in his return from a knee injury. Gordon has six 20-point outings in 14 games but coach Monty Williams feels he still isn’t close to top form. “I think he has to be a bit more forceful,” Williams said. “He’s hard to guard off the dribble, he’s getting close to understanding what we want to do on defense and it’s going to come. This is his training camp. I think he’s going to start to come out of it here soon, but he’s still getting into game shape.”
ABOUT THE JAZZ (24-21): Utah’s previous worst home loss was a 33-point defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 18, 1990. Coach Tyrone Corbin tried to minimize the disastrous performance. “Whether you lose by one or by 45 like we did, it’s one loss,” Corbin said. “That’s the main thing. This team has shown a lot of grit and character all year long and we’ll respond.” Guard Randy Foye had a team-high 12 points, while center Al Jefferson (10 points) and forward Paul Millsap (four) had poor outings. “We should have been booing ourselves,” Jefferson said in reference to the numerous jeers from the home fans.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Utah is 23-8 at home against New Orleans.
2. Hornets PG Greivis Vasquez has three games of 15 or more assists this season after accumulating 15 on Tuesday.
3. Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward (shoulder) will likely miss his second straight game.