NEW ORLEANS HORNETS FAN ZONE

Hornets Basketball News, Schedule, Pictures and Players

Wow.

New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard Morris Peterson is expected to miss the next two games because of soreness in his right knee, Coach Byron Scott said after Thursday's practice at the Alario Center.

Peterson missed Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings after he complained of soreness. Rasual Butler is expected to earn his second consecutive start at shooting guard on Friday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center.

The Hornets, who are trying to snap a two-game losing streak, play the rematch game against Oklahoma City on Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneChris Paul, fouled here by Jason Thompson, had 20 points and 15 assists, but it wasn't enough for the Hornets to beat Sacramento at New Orleans Arena.

By the end of the third quarter, not one of former Hornets guard Bobby Jackson's three attempts from the field had found the bottom of the net as the Sacramento Kings were battling to scratch out a win. The fourth quarter, however, was a different story.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneBobby Jackson, whom the Hornets traded last season, hit three big shots in the fourth quarter to lift Sacramento to victory.

In his first game this season against his former teammates, Sacramento Kings guard Bobby Jackson initially struggled Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena. When he came off the bench for the first time in the second quarter, Jackson missed his first two shots. After three quarters, he was scoreless.

The New Orleans Hornets dropped to 5-5 on the year with a stunning 105-96 loss to the Sacramento Kings, who played the game without three injured starters.

Guard John Salmons led the Kings with 29 points and former Hornets guard Bobby Jackson had eight fourth-quarter points, two of them 3-pointers, as the Kings pulled away.

David West led the Hornets with 22 points. Chris Paul had 20 points and 15 assists.

New Orleans is .500 for the first time since Dec. 11,1006 when they were 10-10.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneJames Posey and the Hornets will look to bounce back against Sacramento.

The New Orleans Hornets return home Wed. night for a contest with the Sacramento Kings (7 p.m. CT) and NOLA.com will be hosting a live game chat right here.

On the surface, the game isn't that meaningful. But don't tell that to the players, who have had four days to stew over a poor performance in Houston. The Hornets know they have to win games like these to stay in command of their own playoff destiny, and tonight's game should reflect that mentality.

Want to complain about the refs or marvel with other fans over the mastery of Chris Paul? This is your spot to do so.

Earlier this week New Orleans Hornets Coach Byron Scott had plans to activate backup power forward Sean Marks. But those plans have been put on hold because Scott wants more time for Marks to get adjusted to the offense.

Before Wednesday morning's shootaround, Scott said Marks would not be activated until sometime next week. Marks, who suffered a strained calf and a hamstring injury in training camp, he has not played in any regular-season games.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneThrough nine games this season, Chris Paul has 27 steals - an average of three per game - both best in the NBA.

Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul has been surpassing records and milestones as fast as autumnal leaves fall, and each time he collects a steal in the next 12 games, he draws closer to the NBA mark for thefts in consecutive games.

There's nothing to be concerned about as the New Orleans Hornets begin their season rather sluggishly, Coach Byron Scott said Tuesday.

"It's only nine games into the season," Scott said with his team standing 5-4 with the next four games coming against teams with a combined record of 6-26. "The offense hasn't gotten clicking but the defense has played pretty well. That's what's kept us in games.

"I know we have to do better, especially on the offensive end. I told the guys our energy has to be more consistent. That's the one thing we have to make sure we do a better job of, making sure we bring it every night."

With four losses in six games, Hornets Coach Byron Scott did not expect to see his players in a good mood during Monday's practice at the Alario Center.

So maybe it came as no surprise to Scott that with a team on edge, there was a scuffle, a dodging of reporters and a frustrated forward looking for answers. Not necessarily in that order.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneHornets guard Morris Peterson got in a scuffle with teammate Rasual Butler after practice on Monday.

With four losses in six games, New Orleans Hornets Coach Byron Scott did not expect to see his players in a good mood during Monday's practice at the Alario Center.

They all appeared on the edge and near the end of an extended full-scrimmage, Rasual Butler and Morris Peterson exchanged words and had to be separated. When practice ended, David West and Chris Paul quickly left without speaking to anyone. And Peja Stojakovic still appeared flustered from his 1-of-5 shooting performance for three points in Saturday's 91-82 loss to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneThe Hornets are hoping that shots start falling and wins start coming this week.

For those of you scoring at home - and those scoring inside the Hornets' locker room - the spread sheet now reads four losses in the past six games for New Orleans after a Saturday night smack at Houston.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneThe Hornets are hoping that shots start falling and wins start coming this week.

For those of you scoring at home - and those scoring inside the Hornets' locker room - the spread sheet now reads four losses in the past six games for New Orleans after a Saturday night smack at Houston.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneChris Paul drives against Kobe Bryant of the Lakers last week. Let's talk Hornets with T-P beat reporter John Reid, at 11:30 a.m.

Hey Hornets fans, the team is off to an OK start, but is it what you expected?

Seems like they're in a scoring slump.

But, this could be a week to get back on track.

With a game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, and back-to-back games against a struggling Oklahoma City on Friday and Saturday, the Hornets have a chance to break out of their slump.

So, with that in mind, let's chat. Talk to Times-Picayune beat reporter John Reid at 11:30 a.m. today from the Alario Center, where the Hornets practice.

David J. Phillip, The Associated PressDavid West led the Hornets with 18 points, but it wasn't enough in a loss at Houston

HOUSTON -- Throughout the second quarter of their meeting Saturday night with the Houston Rockets, Hornets players quietly sat on the bench. They did not have a reason to stand or cheer. On the floor, they saw their teammates miss shot after shot. They saw hopes for a carryover from Friday's resounding victory against the Portland Trail Blazers evaporate after three minutes into the quarter.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneLakers Coach Phil Jackson doesn't miss New Orleans, or 'that mildew smell,' when he's not here.

Let's give Lakers Coach Phil Jackson his due: He wins basketball games. If you want to offer the opinion that Jackson has been the fortunate beneficiary of having some of the greatest players in NBA history on rosters that he has coached -- Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant come to mind -- you'll get no argument here. But when it comes to New Orleans, Jackson should keep his mouth shut.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneChris Paul isn't concerned with the NBA point-assists record.

HOUSTON -- Even though Chris Paul's record streak of scoring at least 20 points and having 10 assists in seven consecutive games ended Friday night against Portland, he did not appear concerned about it. Paul mostly was pleased about bouncing back from a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers by defeating the Trail Blazers 87-82 at the New Orleans Arena.

The New Orleans Hornets lost 91-82 to the Houston Rockets Saturday night, their fourth defeat in nine games. The Hornets shot poorly and struggled to defend. They were held to 15 points in the second quarter and 17 in the third. The Rockets took a 17-point lead in the second quarter.
David West led the Hornets with 18 points. Chris Paul scored 12 points but he made only 2-of-10 shots. He ended with 12 assists.

No third quarter surge

The Hornets were unable to cut in the Hornets' sizable lead in the third quarter. They still had too many possessions were shots were taken just before the shot clock expired. They got beat for rebounds and still gave up too many perimeter shots. The Rockets ended the the third quarter with a 70-53 lead.

Lack of scoring

The Hornets were held to 15 points in the second quarter that led to their 48-36 halftime deficit. During a stretch in the quarter, the Hornets missed nine consecutive shots and they went almost eight minutes without scoring. Chris Paul missed his first five shots in the first half and was held to four points. Peja Stojakovic missed five of six. Backup Rasual Butler missed three of four. The Hornets missed six of eight 3-pointers. After Brown made a running jumper to cut the deficit to 33-29, the Hornets did not make another shot from the field until Morris Peterson's 3-pointer with 55.8 seconds remaining.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneAgainst the Hornets in 24 minutes, Greg Oden provided a glimpse of what the excitement could be all about, collecting the first double-double of his career with 11 points and 11 rebounds. He also had four blocked shots.

The analogy is right on point. "What company do you know, " Portland Trail Blazers Coach Nate McMillan asks, "would give a 20-year-old the company and say, 'Save it.'?"

AP Photo / Ann HeisenfeltPeja and co. look to get back to their winning ways tonight.

The New Orleans Hornets look to get back on the winning track tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers, and we've got it covered right here on NOLA.com.

Our live game chat is the place to talk about the game, the direction of the team, the team's trade options and whatever others Hornets-related topics come up.

Talk about the game live right here.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneChris Paul and Sergio Rodriguez battle for a loose ball. Paul finished with 17 points and nine assists.

When a defensive stop was needed, Hornets forward James Posey dived on the floor in front of Portland forward Travis Outlaw and snatched the ball away for a steal. Although Rasual Butler did not convert on the ensuing shot, Posey's steal was the type of energetic play that Coach Byron Scott had desired to see from his backups in recent games.

AP Photo / Dave MartinDrew Brees and the Saints are in major need of a win this weekend.

Every Friday at 1 p.m., NOLA.com and David Gladow host a sports chat to preview the upcoming weekend in sports.

Hot topics this week are sure to include the New Orleans Saints, their playoff hopes and the injury status of their players, the New Orleans Hornets and questions about their somewhat shaky start and of course the LSU Tigers, who are looking to improve their bowl positioning (and possibly find a quarterback).

Check with us and 1 and chat about your favorite New Orleans area sports topics.

Seven games into the season, Hornets backup point guard Mike James isn't fulfilling Coach Byron Scott's expectations.

When James is on the court with the second unit, the Hornets' offense often is bogged down by a lack of ball movement. Instead of initiating the offense, James sometimes deviates from the playbook and tries to create his own shot.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneKobe Bryant and company look tough to beat in the NBA West.

I watched the Los Angeles Lakers win another one Wednesday night and was left with an obvious question: Who'll finish second in the Western Conference?

At the moment, the Hornets are in the process of an early-season tour of their highly competitive conference: Portland here tonight, at Houston on Saturday, followed by Sacramento next week at the Arena.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneJames Posey did a good job on Kobe Bryant in the Hornets loss on Wednesday.

We probably will learn more about the New Orleans Hornets the next couple of weeks than we will at any point this season. As a member of the teams being hunted - status gained through last season's run to the Western Conference semifinals - this really is the first time they've seen adversity.

New Orleans has lost three of its past four games, after winning its first three of the season. There's no pretty way to say the Hornets are struggling, with two losses coming at home and the one on the road coming at the hands of Charlotte, and all of them progressively seeming to get worse.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneThe Hornets' Chris Paul draws contact on an in-your-face drive to the basket against the Lakers' Derek Fisher during Wednesday night's 93-86 loss to Los Angeles at the New Orleans Arena. Paul finished with game-high totals of 30 points and 13 assists.

If you're grading the test, the Hornets didn't exactly flunk Wednesday night's big exam against the Western Conference-favorite Los Angeles Lakers.

Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneLos Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson says allowing Harrah's New Orleans Casino to advertise at the New Orleans Arena during Hornets games sends a mixed message.

Before Wednesday's game, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson raised the issue about the Hornets' use of Harrah's New Orleans Casino's advertising in the visiting locker room at the New Orleans Arena.

The Hornets want to be NBA title contenders.

The Lakers are.

The New Orleans Hornets host a big one tonight at "The Hive", as the Los Angeles Lakers come to town for a battle of Western Conference contenders.

The Hornets will be amped up, and so will we ... in a live game chat right here.

Want to talk about the game with other fans? This is the spot to be.

Kobe Bryant's 3-pointer with 1:08 to go in the game helped the Los Angeles Lakers stem a furious New Orleans Hornets surge as the Lakers stayed unbeaten with a 93-86 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,239 in New Orleans Arena.

Bryant's basket made the game 86-80, after the Hornets had cut the lead to three points on a short jumper from Hornets guard Chris Paul.

Paul had his league-record seventh straight game of 20-plus points and 10-plus assists, finishing with 30 and 13.

Bryant, who beat Paul out of last year's league MVP award, had 20 points.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneTyson Chandler getting healthy has been a big boost for the Hornets.

I suppose Hornets center Tyson Chandler is right when he says New Orleans doesn't exactly "need" to win tonight's game against the Lakers at New Orleans Arena.

It's hard to look at the seventh game of any NBA regular season as a "must," when so many more games are scheduled to be played and so many variables can occur between now and December, let alone the ones that'll happen between now and April.

But this, too, is true: What usually is a marathon this year will be an extended sprint. There's no down time for contenders in the Western Conference.

New Orleans Hornets starting shooting guard Morris Peterson's status for tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers will not be determined until later today.

Peterson has missed the past two practices after hyperextending his left knee.

An MRI test was performed Tuesday, and Peterson said the results revealed no structural damage.

Michael DeMocker, The Times-PicayuneJames Posey was signed to a four-year contract by the Hornets with expectations he would help shut down some of the league's top scorers.

James Posey is not a Kobe stopper. He's not even sure if such a player exists. But that won't keep the Hornets' reserve swingman from getting up close and personal with Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant when two teams expected to vie for the Western Conference crown clash tonight at the New Orleans Arena.