Notes from the other side & preview -- Hornets vs Jazz
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Some quick notes for tonight's Hornets/Jazz game at Energy Solutions Arena (as well as tonight's preview):
- The Hornets have allowed 100+ points in seven of their last nine road games. Ouch.
- Memories of an ironic collapse for Hornets coach Byron Scott as they ready for tonight's game.
- Hornets couldn't quite complete the comeback last night against the Suns.
- AP's preview of tonight's game.
- A ballboy helped Jazz C Jarron Collins understand exactly how home court in the first round of the playoffs works.
TONIGHT'S PREVIEW
Season series: Tied, 1-1.
What happened last time: Jazz dismantled the Hornets, 108-94, on Sunday. Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Mehmet Okur had 28 points and 9 rebounds and Deron Williams put up 20 points and had 6 assists. The Hornets muddled through the game, with only Tyson Chandler (20 points, 19 rebounds) and Chris Paul (14 points, 13 assists, 3 steals) doing anything of note for New Orleans/Oklahoma City.
What to expect tonight: The Jazz had their way with the Hornets the last time around by basically out-executing the Hornets all evening. David West was a non-factor (10 points, 4-12 FG, 7 rebounds) and players such as Bobby Jackson, Devin Brown and Marc Jackson contributed little to nothing. The Hornets are coming off last night's 104-103 loss to the Suns and will no doubt be tired.
Williams often says he doesn't play any harder against Paul and the Hornets than any other team. He says that the matchup is something the media makes up, but that he doesn't view it as otherwise. The numbers say otherwise:
Williams -- 23.5 ppg, 52.9 FG pct, 7.0 assists per game this season in the 2 games vs NOK.
I'd be surprised if Williams doesn't get himself fired up for this game and run the show as well as he has all season.
Prediction: Jazz win, 105-99.
