Can the Nets steal a win from the Hornets?

Opponent File
New Orleans/ Oklahoma City Hornets
The Hornets play at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Their 2005 - 2006 record was 38- 44 (fourth in the Southwest). Here is the Hornets roster.

Local Papers:
New Orleans Times-Picayune | Hornets
NewsOK.com | Hornets
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Hornets
ESPN.com | Hornets
FoxSports | Hornets
NBA.com | Hornets
Sportsline.com | Hornets

Head Coach: Byron Scott
2006 Draft:C Hilton Armstrong (#12), Connecticut: F Cedric Simmons (#15), North Carolina State; F Marcus Vinicius (#43), Brazil.
New Players: G Bobby Jackson (Free agent); G Jannero Pargo (Free agent); F Peja Stojakovic (Trade); C Tyson Chandler (Trade).
Season Goal: CP3 shall lead them...with the right combo of talent, surprise and make the playoffs (despite the presence of Byron Scott). And wouldn't it be ironic if the Hornets make it in the tough West, and the Nets don't make it in the pushover East?
Record vs. Nets: 0 - 0

Other Opponent Files

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (25 - 28) - Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Stealing Back The Day
How 'bout them Byron Scott-led Hornets of New Orleans (or is it Oklahoma City)? Injuries to their three top players (David West, Peja Stojakovic and Chris Paul) didn't totally destroy them, and like New Orleans and the Saints, they've gotten themselves back together and are getting geared up for a stretch run. Unlike these Nets of L. Frank, who appear to be headed their separate ways much earlier than planned in 2007. Only a half-game out of the final playoff spot after losing 4 of their last 5, the Hornets are healthy now (only Stojakovic is still out) and they've got the lesson of last year, when they were 29 - 23 at the All Star break and failed to make the playoffs after finishing up 9 - 21. Inconsistency has plagued the Hornets as well as the Nets, and aside from all the injuries on both teams, they could be cut from the same cloth. So, both teams are trying to steal back what they believe is rightfully theirs, a playoff berth, and this game will go a long way toward setting the tone for the balance of the season. That is, if the Nets roster stays intact past Thursday...

Why Should You Watch? Byron's in the house - always a delight to watch him stare into space during timeouts. Chris Paul is the new prototypical point guard for the NBA, and Jason Kidd is the former gold standard, so it should prove interesting if the new pup can teach the old dog some new tricks. Vince Carter has to show he's ready to seize the second half, regardless of all the trade talk. Who steps up for the Nets now? Is Mikki Moore still for real? Can Marcus be Marcus and put on a show? Can the defense decide they're committed? A big game for the balance of the year, and taking a read on this team with 28 games to play.
- Joe

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Cheat Sheet
The Story From New Orleans: From the New Orleans Times-Picayune: Asked what motivates his inconsistent squad, including the lure of the playoffs, Byron Scott said: "That's comical because I don't know," he said. "The last thing I said in the locker room (in Memphis) was -- we have a chance to be in the eighth spot. To me, that's motivation enough. That didn't do it. So I don't know, to be honest with you. That doesn't seem to be the trick. . . . I don't know what it is that motivates us as a team. I'm still learning."

Pain Game: G Peja Stojakovic (back) is on the IL. G Jason Kidd (back) is questionable for the Nets. F Richard Jefferson (ankle) and C Nenad Krstic (knee) are out for the Nets.

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