Hornets try for two wins in a row against Bucks

04.3.2007

(Basketball News) - The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets try to make one final push towards earning a playoff berth, as they visit the slumping Milwaukee Bucks tonight at the Bradley Center.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is three games behind the Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Hornets have nine games left on their schedule, and will attempt to win back-to-back games this evening. David West scored 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Hornets blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead but rallied to beat the New York Knicks, 103-94, in overtime on Saturday at the Ford Center.

Desmond Mason and Chris Paul combined to score all 11 New Orleans/Oklahoma City points in the extra session, as the Hornets limited New York to just an Eddy Curry layup.

Mason finished with 19 points and Paul had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win for the Hornets. Tyson Chandler ended with 13 points and 13 rebounds in the victory.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is just 11-25 on the road this season. The Hornets return home to host the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday and the Phoenix Suns on Friday at the Ford Center.

Forward Peja Stojakovic (lower back) is 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.

Milwaukee has dropped six in a row, and plays the middle contest of a three- game homestand. Caron Butler poured in 19 points and had five rebounds before fracturing his right hand in the third quarter, as the Washington Wizards defeated the Bucks, 121-107, on Sunday at the Bradley Center.

Maurice Williams scored 25 points in the loss for Milwaukee, which has dropped 10 of its last 13 games overall. Ruben Patterson finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Charlie Bell poured in 18 points in a losing cause.

The Bucks are 16-18 at home this season. They will host Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics on Wednesday at the Bradley Center.

Guard Michael Redd (left knee) is questionable for tonight’s game. The sharp- shooting Redd leads the Bucks in scoring (26.7 ppg) this season and did not play against Washington.

This is the second and final meeting of the campaign between the clubs. On February 8th, Mason poured in 24 points while David West scored 21 and pulled down 19 rebounds to lift New Orleans/Oklahoma City over Milwaukee, 109-101, in double overtime at the Ford Center.

The Hornets have won two in a row in the series, but have lost two straight at Milwaukee.

MIL NOH

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