New Orleans Hornets Team Report - December 18

(Basketball News) - The listless New Orleans Hornets dropped yet another game on Friday night, falling 83-67 to the San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Arena.

Lee Nailon returned from a four-game absence due to a left groin strain to score a season-high tying 22 points and grab six boards for the Hornets, who failed to record their first winning streak of the season. New Orleans, which beat Golden State on Wednesday, has dropped 20 of its 22 games this season — its first in the Western Conference.

After leading 21-16 after one quarter, the Hornets failed to put anything positive together in the final three quarters. The club scored only 17 points in the second and went into halftime trailing 44-38.

The second half proved just as futile for New Orleans, which scored only 29 points in the final 24 minutes. The club trailed only 62-54 heading into the fourth, but a 9-2 spurt early in the final quarter by the Spurs helped put their opponents away.

P.J. Brown had 16 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which equaled a season-low in points. Outside of Brown, the four other starters for the Hornets tallied a combined 20 points.

New Orleans also missed all seven of its three-pointers, and hit 9-of-11 free throws. The Hornets are only 1-10 at home this season.

New Orleans hits the road on Sunday to take on the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena.