Clippers, Hornets meet at the Ford Center

The Clippers are tied with the Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference, while the Hornets are 1 1/2 games behind them. The Clippers have played two less games than the Warriors.

This is the third of four meetings between the clubs this season. The Clippers won the first two contests and have captured five of the last seven contests in the series. The teams have split the last four games at the Hornets.

The Clippers will host the Hornets on April 18th at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles has dropped two in a row, and plays the middle contest of a three- game road trip. On Monday, Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points as the Dallas Mavericks clinched home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with a 96-86 win over the Clippers at American Airlines Center.

Corey Maggette scored 24 points in the loss to Mavericks for Los Angeles, which has dropped two in a row after a three-game winning streak. Elton Brand ended with 20 points in defeat.

The Clippers are 13-25 on the road this season. They will act as the visitor on Thursday against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers at the Staples Center.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City opens a two-game homestand. Chris Paul finished with 18 points and 10 assists as the Hornets edged the Minnesota Timberwolves, 96-94, on Saturday at the Target Center.

Marc Jackson added 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Rasual Butler ended with 17 points for the Hornets, who have won four of their last five games overall. David West collected 15 points and nine boards in the victory for New Orleans/Oklahoma City,

Forward Peja Stojakovic (lower back), Cedric Simmons (sprained right ankle) and center Tyson Chandler (bruised left big toe) are all questionable for tonight’s contest. Stojakovic, who is in his first season with the Hornets, is averaging 17.8 points in 13 games this season. The sharp-shooting Stojakovic last played on November 24th.

The Hornets are 23-16 as the host this season. They will play Allen Iverson and the Denver Nuggets on Friday in their final game this season at the Ford Center