New Orleans Hornets Team Report - December 6

(Basketball News) - The New Orleans Hornets try to get back on the winning track this evening when they head to Chicago to tangle with the Bulls at the United Center.

On Friday, the Hornets found themselves on the wrong end of an 83-74 decision at home against the Houston Rockets. Darrell Armstrong paced New Orleans with 17 off the bench, while Baron Davis chipped in 16 points and 11 assists to record his fourth straight double-double, as the Hornets had their two-game winning streak stopped.

Despite leading by four at the break, the Hornets managed just 12 of the 38 total points scored in the third quarter.

New Orleans could never seriously threaten in the final quarter, closing only as close as five following five straight points by Armstrong to start the stanza. Houston, though, answered with seven of the next nine points to put the game out of reach.

Jamaal Magloire, who scored 10 of the team’s 14 points in the first quarter, posted his fourth double-double in five games and ended the game with 14 points and 12 boards.

New Orleans came into the game as the league-leader in steals, but only had two in this one. Both were by Davis.

The Hornets are 6-4 away from home this season.

Tonight’s contest will also be New Orleans coach Tim Floyd’s first game in Chicago since he resigned as head coach of the Bulls back on Christmas Eve 2001.

Chicago defeated New Orleans earlier in the season, but the Hornets have won seven of the last nine meetings. The Hornets have also won 16 of 19 and 17 of the last 28 meetings, including six of their last eight in the Windy City.