New Orleans Hornets Team Report - February 29

(Basketball News) - The New Orleans Hornets were denied their third consecutive win on Saturday, as they found themselves on the wrong end of a 97-92 decision against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Pyramid.

New Orleans was led by Baron Davis’ 24 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and 10 assists. Jamal Mashburn added 21 points for the Hornets, who are just a half game ahead of Milwaukee for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Davis had just eight points in the first half on 3-of-10 shooting, but he would almost single-handedly bring the Hornets back after they fell behind by 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by 18 with just under nine minutes remaining, Davis scored 14 points over the ensuing five minutes, including a bucket that got New Orleans to within 84-81 at the end of an 18-3 burst.

The Hornets were still within three points at 88-85, but Memphis used a 5-0 to grab a 93-85 lead.

Steve Smith then got New Orleans to within three yet again on a three-pointer with 26 seconds remaining. but Pau Gasol and Bonzi Wells each hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Mashburn has topped the 20-point mark in his last seven games and has averaged 20.7 points-per-game since returning from a right knee injury.

The Hornets, who will close their three-game road trip against the Washington Wizards on Monday, have lost five of six and eight of their last 10 on the road and are 13-16 away from home this season.

New Orleans has already beaten the Wizards twice this season, but could be at a disadvantage on Monday, as the home team in this series has won eight straight and 10 of the last 11 meetings