Hornets continue to play shorthanded

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is without star guard Chris Paul (sprained right ankle) and forwards Peja Stojakovic (lower back) and David West (right forearm/elbow). Paul, who was injured on December 26th, leads the team in scoring (18.4 ppg) and assists (9.0 apg). Stojakovic is averaging 17.8 points per game and last played on November 24th, while West (right forearm/elbow) is averaging 17.4 points and 8.3 rebounds, and has not played since November 12th.

The San Antonio Spurs try to halt a two-game losing streak when they battle the injury-riddled City Hornets on Friday at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won a pair of contests on the road over the Hornets this season. San Antonio is scheduled to host the Hornets on March 28th at the AT&T Center in the fourth and final meeting of the campaign between the squads.

The Hornets have lost four straight at San Antonio. The Spurs have won five in a row and nine of the last 10 in the series.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City attempts to win its fourth straight game against the Spurs. Jannero Pargo scored 25 points and the Hornets won a defensive struggle with suffocating defense in overtime, knocking off the Orlando Magic, 84-78, on Tuesday at the Ford Center.

Desmond Mason had 21 points and nine rebounds in the victory over Orlando for the Hornets, while Rasual Butler totaled 19 points and 11 boards in the victory.

Guard Bobby Jackson (cracked ribs) is questionable for Friday’s contest. He has missed 21 games this season for the Hornets. Jackson is averaging 10.6 points per game.

The Hornets, who will host the Lakers on Saturday, are 6-12 on the road this season. It is the second meeting of the season between the squads. The Hornets defeated the Lakers, 105-89, on December 6th at the Staples Center. The Lakers have won two of their last three at the Hornets.

Pargo has scored in double digits in three straight games. He is averaging 22.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest during that span.