Hornets aim to sting visiting 76ers

The Hornets won their third consecutive game on Monday when they knocked off the Portland Trail Blazers, 103-91. David West led the way with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Tyson Chandler added 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Hornets, who have won the first three contests of their current five-game homestand. New Orleans finishes the stand on Friday against Minnesota.

The Hornets twice this season have compiled winning streaks of four games. Those winning bursts came early in the campaign as the club opened up the season with four straight wins before losing three straight. New Orleans quickly righted the ship, however, and won its next four contests.

New Orleans, which is 13-10 at home this season, has been without guard Chris Paul since late December. Last season’s Rookie of the Year and the team’s leading scorer returned to practice on Tuesday and is questionable for tonight’s contest.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, came into Monday’s game with Houston having won four of the last six games, but suffered a 105-84 setback.

Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 19 points, while Samuel Dalembert recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds as Philadelphia lost for the 10th time in 15 games. Louis Williams added a career-high 11 points.

The loss came in the middle portion of a three-game road trip that the 76ers wrap up in Oklahoma City. The club bested Atlanta when it kicked off the trip on Saturday.

Philadelphia, which fell to 7-21 on the road, opens up a seven-game homestand on Friday against Golden State.

The 76ers have won two of their last three meetings with the Hornets and five of the last eight. Philadelphia, though, has lost three in a row on the road against the Hornets.

The home team has been victorious in the last seven matchups. Philadelphia won the first game between the two clubs this year on January 23.