Bad buzz: Hornets take skid into San Antonio

New Orleans/Oklahoma City hits the road after going winless on a four-game homestand. On Sunday, Vince Carter scored a game-high 27 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists for the New Jersey Nets, who defeated the Hornets, 95-84, at the Ford Center.

Rookie phenom Chris Paul scored 17 points and dished out seven assists, while Speedy Claxton came off the bench to contribute 12 points and five steals in the loss to New Jersey for the Hornets, who have dropped eight of their last 10 contests overall.

The Hornets are just 12-18 on the road this season.

San Antonio attempts to win its second straight game, as it plays the third of a four-game homestand. Tim Duncan finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Spurs over the Houston Rockets, 88-81, on Sunday at AT&T Center.

Michael Finley added 15 points and Manu Ginobili had 14 points, seven boards and five assists for the Spurs, who two of three. Nazr Mohammed registered 11 points and eight rebounds as San Antonio has won 17 straight against the Rockets at home.

The Spurs, who will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, are an impressive 27-4 at home this season.

San Antonio is tied with the Dallas Mavericks for first place in the Southwest Division and the top spot overall in the Western Conference playoff race.

This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between the clubs. In the three previous contests, the teams split a pair of games at the Ford Center, while the Spurs beat the Hornets, 111-84, on December 29th at San Antonio.

The Hornets have lost three straight at San Antonio.