Pelicans at Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets are hoping a stretch filled with home games can help them climb the ladder in the Eastern Conference standings, and it could not have gotten off to a better start. The Hornets try to build off an impressive rout when they continue their three-game homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
After playing eight of nine on the road (4-5), Charlotte finds itself 2 1/2 games out of a playoff spot after pounding Orlando 121-81 on Friday in the opener of a span in which it plays eight of 10 at the Spectrum Center. Kemba Walker scored 23 points in only 24 minutes as the Hornets shot a season-high 59.5 percent from the floor while recording their most lopsided win since Jan. 21, 2002. New Orleans dropped six of its last eight and All-Star forward Anthony Davis was limited to 17 minutes because of a wrist ailment in Wednesday's 94-87 loss to Toronto, although he expects to play Saturday. "I hit it on the rim pretty bad, and it was just pretty swollen and very sore," Davis - who had 38 points and 16 rebounds in an overtime win against Charlotte at home earlier this season - told reporters. "I tried to catch a basketball and dribble, and it just wouldn't allow me to do it at that point in time. It feels a lot better now."
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (25-40): DeMarcus Cousins scored 25 points against Toronto but was the only starter to reach double figures and he finished 8-of-23 from the floor. He is shooting 37.7 percent in four contests since returning from a one-game suspension earlier this month and New Orleans is averaging 93.3 points in that span. Cousins had 35 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and a block against the Hornets earlier in the season while with the Sacramento Kings.
ABOUT THE HORNETS (29-36): Marvin Williams hauled in a career-high 18 rebounds to go along with 12 points and seven assists Friday. Walker made 5-of-8 3-pointers and Brian Roberts drilled all three of his long-range attempts off the bench, while Nicolas Batum chipped in 15 points and 10 assists in an impressive balanced attack. Walker is averaging 28.7 points over his last seven games, making at least five 3s in five of those contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The home team won the last seven meetings.
2. Williams recorded three of his six double-doubles in the past four games.
3. Pelicans SG E'Twaun Moore is 10-for-17 from 3-point range in a six-game span.