Game 12 Preview: Hornets part deux
November 17th, 2009 | by clipshow817 |LA CLIPPERS (4-7) at NEW ORLEAN HORNETS (3-8)
Where: New Orleans Arena
When: Tuesday, November 17 @ 5:00 pst
TV: Prime Ticket / Radio: KFWB980AM
Projected Starters:
Baron Davis PG Darren Collison
Al Thorton SF Peja Stojakovic
Riding the high of their second road victory, the Clippers will once again face a team that is in disarray. They will try not to repeat the effort (or lack thereof) of their last meeting where they lost 84-112. This time not only are the Hornets on a three game losing streak (they’ve been blown out 3 of the last 5 games), they have lost their All-Star point guard Chris Paul with a badly sprained ankle and fired their coach Byron Scott. Hornet’s GM Jeff Bower takes over as coach on an interim basis. The only good news for the Hornets is their last win was over the Clippers.
Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin are still out with injuries. Chris Kaman and Baron Davis have to continue their good play to carry the team to victory. In the last meeting the Hornets got off any shot they wanted. Peja Stojakovic, David West and Devin Brown were able to stop and pop from their favorite spots and the Clippers could not match their fire power. If the Clippers are to win tonight they will need to keep up the defensive intensity especially on rookie point guard Darren Collison (UCLA).
No need for home cooking as the Clippers are 2-2 on the road and 2-5 at home. Maybe it helps them stay focused when the entire building is cheering against them. They played a solid four quarters in the victory over the Thunder and their defense did the job in the fourth as Kevin Durant (40 pts) did not get a shot off in the final minutes of the game.
Rasual Butler may be fired up tonight as he plays against his former team for the first time in New Orleans. Butler scored 14 points in the loss to the Hornets. Butler played four seasons with the Hornets and was traded to the Clippers this past summer.
No Chris Paul or Byron Scott… the Hornets have played poorly all season (except for one game against the Clippers)… can the Clippers take advantage of this or will they be what the doctor ordered for the Hornets. If they play smart and force Collison to make mistakes they will win. If Peja and West have to take tough shots the Clippers will win. They need payback for their worst loss of the season.
Tags: Al Thorton, Baron Davis, Blake Griffin, Byron Scott, Chris Kaman, Chris Paul, Darren Collison, David West, Devin Brown, Emeka Okafor, Eric Gordon, Marcus Camby, Peja Stojakovic, Rasual Butler
