Hornets back on the road and a big test awaiting them in Cleveland tonight, their first meeting of the season with the Cavaliers. Game tips at 6 Central.
The Cavs have the best record in the League at 43-14 and are a formidable 24-4 at home. They do come into tonight's game with a season-high three-game losing streak (Den, @Cha, @Orl) but that's probably more bad news than good for the Hornets.
Cleveland made a splash at last week's trade deadline by bringing in Antawn Jamison, and he played much better in Orlando on Sunday (19 points, 9-14 FGs, 8 boards) after going 0-for-12 from the field in his Cavs debut against the Bobcats on Friday. Jamison is expected to make his first start for Cleveland tonight, pushing J.J. Hickson to the bench. (There's also a chance Hickson may not play at all due to illness.)
Oh, and that LeBron James kid has been playing some good basketball: averages of 33.4 points, 10.6 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals this month.
Numbers:
Pace: Cavaliers 93.2 (25th), Hornets 94.8 (17th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cavaliers 108.6 (4th), Hornets 104.5 (13th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cavaliers 101.2 (7th), Hornets 105.1 (18th)
Linkage:
- Journals: The Passing Game - Paul vs. Collison
- Lagniappe: Chris Paul's blogging, an interview with Marcus Thornton, and a Hornets Hype classic
- Rival bloggers: And One | Cavs: The Blog (THN) | Fear The Sword | WaitingForNextYear
(Many thanks to Dariusz for today's banner featuring James Posey. Be sure to check out more of Dariusz's designs in our Wallpapers vault.)
28 masterful comments post your own
NO_3PC
02/23/10 05:55 PM
Go Hornets!
#1
pinoyballah
02/23/10 06:45 PM
thornton is on fiyah!
#2
ChrisTrew.com
02/23/10 06:55 PM
Just learned something new from these announcers - that if the Bucks slip in the standings the Cavs might face the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the playoffs. Holy shit!
www.christrew.com #3
geauxhornetssaintstigers
02/23/10 06:58 PM
Rookie of the Year conversation.......meet Marcus Thornton
#4
YoungFella
02/23/10 07:05 PM
I hope CP3 is learning something for when he returns. Collison's fast tempo is teh MONEY.
#5
CarnbY
02/23/10 07:10 PM
That was a great first half, this team is a lot of fun to watch this year!
#6
NO_3PC
02/23/10 07:12 PM
CP3 should take over for Jeff Bower and coach this team. Then we might win the championship. CP3 for COACH OF THE YEAR!
#7
YoungFella
02/23/10 07:19 PM
Seriously are you guys really still mad at me over this?
How could any Hornets fan watch these games and not notice the insane difference in tempo between Collison-led Hornets and Paul-led Hornets.
It's like watching the 2005 Suns versus watching Larry Brown's Pistons. Night and day in tempo and aggressiveness. That's why we have more turnovers - but also more points and less 0-15 runs that CP3 loves to preside over.
#8
YoungFella
02/23/10 07:25 PM
Last 40 point quarter : March 11, 2009 at Washington
#9
Jib
02/23/10 07:28 PM
@ yf
chillz man, that points agreeable when CP fastbreaks, they usually are beautiful I also ponder as to why I don't see it that much. He may do it more now since these players are more mobile than his previous casts.
#10
YoungFella
02/23/10 07:32 PM
He's just had a chip on his shoulder since last February. He swaggers down the court with his badass angry look, dribbles down the 24 second clock, etc.
I don't know if theres a stat that's actively kept but we have to be among the league leaders in 24 second violations over the last calendar year. Those don't show up in the "TO" column though so I guess nobody cares.
#11
JCS
02/23/10 07:33 PM
@ YoungFella
CP3 takes over games, he's clutch and he's a better a defender but above all, he carried the team to the playoffs. Right now, "Collison's Hornets" are not in the playoffs.
lovethegame.tumblr.com #12
JCS
02/23/10 07:41 PM
Jamison just posterized West. For the record, I said on more than one occasion we should have acquired Jamison.
lovethegame.tumblr.com #13
YoungFella
02/23/10 07:43 PM
Collison is on pace for 10 turnovers which even I will admit is too many.
#14
peronas
02/23/10 07:48 PM
Thornton looking to graduate from lil' buckets tonight
#15
TopherPrice
02/23/10 07:56 PM
No more lil' before Buckets. He is not just Buckets. Hell yeahs.
#16
TopherPrice
02/23/10 07:59 PM
Not = now. sorry for confusion
#17
pinoyballah
02/23/10 08:06 PM
wow...37 points and going...
why cant the hornets always play fast? i sure hope bower plays DC more when paul comes back....
#18
TopherPrice
02/23/10 08:31 PM
I think the lesson is that it isn't so much Collison that is the catalyst for the increased pace of play. I don't know how many noticed how when stone feet West went to the bench the fast pace began. Maybe it was juju as well being on the court, but I said to my fiance that I was happy when Dwest got that 4th foul. As soon as he hit the bench the comeback began anew via the fast paced pushing offense.
Not that I think we are better off without David, just that the pace can not increase with him on the court. He is like Shaq-fu in that aspect.
#19
ticktock6
02/23/10 08:52 PM
I said it and I will live up to my promise.
Marcus Buckets is "Lil" no longer. That was a big boy night. WOW.
hornetshype.com #20
Niall Doherty
02/23/10 09:05 PM
Great game by the rookies. Haven't enjoyed watching a loss so much in a long time. I was expecting an angry Cavs team to blow us out tonight, but the Hornets put a fright in them.
A couple of things that bugged me though:
- Anyone else think we conceded the game too early? 45 seconds left when Thornton missed a three and the Hornets down 8. Cavs rebound and the Hornets don't foul. LeBron misses a 3 and Delonte gets the offensive rebound with 31 seconds left... still no foul. That seemed strange to me.
- James Posey. He's averaging 7.4 boards per game this month, but aside from that he's giving us nothing, shooting just 32 percent from the field and 27 percent from deep. He missed two wide open triples tonight, and defensively all he's been good for lately has been fouling at the rim.
www.ndoherty.com #21
TopherPrice
02/23/10 09:23 PM
I thought the conceded early as well. I think they figured save it for tomorrow. Short handed, road tripping, and they could tell that LBJ was not going to let the Cavs lose in the final minutes. (I mean did you see him giving Shaq the cold shoulder for the missed lay-up, and the attitude he gave Mo after that turnover. He basically just said "go away, I will get the ball where it needs to go since you can't." LOL)
Not that I think that is a good attitude, but it is understandable. If they only take that attitude this one game, I am fine with it.
As far as Mr. Posie goes, I think he is contributing more than what you described. He is not the one on one shut down guy his reputation would once have suggested, but I think he helps give the lineup he is in with some temperance. The mythical "Veteran Leadership" everyone talks about. In short I think he is the best option we have when he comes in. He will be a nice part during trade time next year. ;)
#22
Mark
02/23/10 09:39 PM
Whatever unit Posey was on, he was +10. Salary aside, I wouldn't discredit his lack of personal successes.
Buckets it is.
www.dogpile.com/ #23
420ftJesus
02/23/10 09:47 PM
With a win and 40 points, I was going to say Buckets if Whoop... stuff.
Next time, buddy. Good game.
Good game all around. A couple of rebounds away...
#24
QueenBee
02/23/10 10:16 PM
@Niall-I thought that was strange as well. There's no guarantee that the Cavs will make the free throws.
Chris Paul would be able to get a whole lot more rest during games if Collison would play this way off the bench. Now that he's gaining even more experience with Paul out, perhaps he will be better once coming off the bench again.
Great game from Buckets tonight! Collison too. I agree that even though I didn't really expect to win, I was surprised to see the Hornets hang with the Cavs. Turning point was when they were tied at 89 and let the Cavs hit back to back 3's. Down 6 just like that. Now we need to get a win at Milwaukee and bring it home and take it to the Magic.
#25
Jib
02/23/10 10:21 PM
James Posey's defense disappoints me time after time, at least make open 3s when they're there. I have a hard time dealing with it (maybe a hard flagrant on Bogut next game will make me happier lol)
#26
icebird
02/23/10 10:57 PM
Sean Marks sighting! Sean Marks sighting! Yes, I am excited beyond all proportion to his contribution to the game thank you very much. Seven minutes 47 seconds isn't bad in one stretch considering his playing time since he came back from injury. I hope he played well enough to earn another cameo tomorrow, but without seeing the game I don't if he's looking better than he was earlier in the month.
#27
TopherPrice
02/24/10 10:28 AM
Sean "The Rat King" LIVES!!! It was nice seeing him out there not looking winded. He didn't do poorly. Put it this way, he was in when the run happened so he was definitely doing his job on D. Helping with the fast breaking. It was nice to see him contributing.
However, he needs to put that 17 - 20 ft. jumper in a lock box and throw it in the ocean so I never have to see it again.
#28