Spurs try to halt losing streak vs, Hornets

(Basketball News) - The San Antonio Spurs try to halt a two-game losing streak when they battle the injury-riddled New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets tonight at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio wraps up a short two-game homestand. Kobe Bryant scored a game- high 34 points, dished out eight assists and pulled down six rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over the Spurs, 100-96, on Wednesday at the AT&T Center.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Tony Parker finished with 25 points and five assists in the loss to the Lakers for the Spurs. Brent Barry netted 13 points for San Antonio, which has lost five of its last nine games overall.

The Spurs are 14-7 at home this season. San Antonio will visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at the Wachovia Center and the Boston Celtics on Monday at TD Banknorth Garden.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City attempts to win its fourth straight game. 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.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City continues to play 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.

Guard Bobby Jackson (cracked ribs) is questionable for tonight’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.

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 in the series.

SAN NOH

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