Hornets are hanging around

New Orleans/Oklahoma City hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday at the Ford Center. It is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On December 23rd, Michael Redd scored 36 points and shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line, as the Bucks defeated the Hornets, 101-94, at the Bradley Center. Milwaukee has won two of three and three of the last five contests in this series. The Bucks have lost four straight and five of their last six at the Hornets.

The Hornets open a three-game homestand against the Bucks. On Saturday, Speedy Claxton scored 20 points to lead six New Orleans/Oklahoma City players in double figures as the Hornets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 95-86, at FedExForum.

David West netted 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while P.J. Brown chipped in 18 points and nine rebounds in the win over Memphis for the Hornets, who halted a two-game losing streak. Rookie phenom Chris Paul ended with 13 points and eight assists in the victory.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is 12-8 as the host this season. The Hornets are scheduled to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

The Hornets will play both the Bulls and Lakers for the first time in the 2005-06 campaign.

West leads the Hornets in scoring (16.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg). He has scored in double-digits in 20 straight games and has registered five double- doubles in that span. The Xavier product is averaging 17.4 points and 8.2 boards in his last 10 outings.