Hornets welcome Kings to Baton Rouge

The game was originally scheduled to be played at the Pete Maravich Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but the attendance was a disappointment in a contest played earlier in the campaign.

The Hornets played at the Pete Maravich Center on December 16th, as the Phoenix Suns defeated New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 101-88.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City plays the finale of a brief two-game homestand. On Tuesday, Richard Hamilton poured in 30 points to pace the Detroit Pistons to a 96-86 victory over the Hornets at the Ford Center.

Rookie phenom Chris Paul, who was originally expected to be sidelined two weeks with a torn ligament in his right thumb, started and scored 13 points in the loss to Detroit for the Hornets. David West finished with 20 points, while Speedy Claxton scored 18 in defeat.

The Hornets are 10-7 as the host this season.

Sacramento wraps up a three-game road trip this evening. Corliss Williamson scored a season-high 19 points as the Kings beat the Houston Rockets, 88-80, on Wednesday at the Toyota Center.

Mike Bibby finished with 19 points and eight assists, while Kenny Thomas netted 14 and also pulled down eight rebounds for the Kings, who had a two- game losing streak halted.

On the injury front for Sacramento, forwards Brian Skinner (illness) and Peja Stojakovic (leg) are questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Kings, who lost to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday at FedExForum, are 5-9 on the road this season. After tonight’s game, they return to ARCO Arena for a three-game homestand. Sacramento will host Orlando, Phoenix and the Lakers on the upcoming stand.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs. The teams split the two previous games as both squads picked up a win on their homecourt. The Kings are scheduled to host the Hornets on April 16th at ARCO Arena.

Sacramento has won five of seven and nine of the last 12 contests in this series. The Kings have lost two straight after winning their last two on the road against the Hornets.