=== New Orleans Hornets Team Report - March 17 === (My Sportsbook) - The New Orleans Hornets try to get back on the winning track this evening when they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to New Orleans Arena. New Orleans has lost two of its last three contests, maintaining the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Hornets are just one game ahead of the fifth place Milwaukee Bucks. On Tuesday, the Hornets dropped a 96-83 decision to the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Baron Davis had 23 points to pace the Hornets, who have lost four of their last six games. Darrell Armstrong and Steve Smith contributed 14 and 12 points off the bench, respectively. New Orleans, already without second-leading scorer Jamal Mashburn due to a knee injury, played without starting forward P.J. Brown, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. Mashburn, who had already missed the Hornets' last three games, was placed on the injured list prior to the game. New Orleans center Jamaal Magloire was ejected for throwing the ball in the crowd with five minutes to go in the third quarter, three minutes before Lamar Odom was tossed for picking up his second technical. The Hornets have won eight of their last nine home games. For the year, New Orleans is 22-12 in its friendly confines. Philadelphia has won the last two meetings in this series, including an 85-82 victory in Philly on January 30. The Sixers have won six of the last 10 meetings overall. These teams have split the last six meetings at the Hornets. |
