National Basketball Association: Nuggets-Hornets Preview
This once promising season has been anything for the New Orleans Hornets, but thus far. Their hopes of returning to the playoffs for a third consecutive year have all vanished after recently dropping five of there last six games and sinking all the way 11th place in the tough Western Conference.
As the Hornets (32-33) are scheduled to play their next set of games without two of their best players, things do not seem to be getting any better. With Chris Paul still recovering from knee surgery, it has been learned earlier this week by the Hornets that sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic’s lower abdominal strain will keep him out for at least two weeks.
Not a good sign with the high scoring Denver Nuggets coming into town riding a four game win streak scoring 117.3 points per.
In the Western Conference’s race, it is looked by the Nuggets (43-21) to stay for fist place with their second victory in three games against the Hornets. iIt took Overtime to defeat the Hornets 116-110 on Jan. 23 after losing 98-92 in their Dec. 18 match-up without All-Star guard Chauncey Billups. In that win Carmelo Anthony, who has scored 30 or more points in three out of their last four games, scored 30 points to go along with Billups’ 20.
It is hoped by the Nuggets they can contain the continually improving play of rookie guard Darren Collision, who is starting in place of the injured Paul. A few improving players of their own in J.R. Smith and Chris Anderson who are averaging 18.8 and 11.3 points per game respectively over the past four games are looked for better performance.
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