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According to Wikipedia, which obviously is the end-all source on everything, the Hornets don't have a rival. That makes me remarkably sad considering the deep seeded mild anger that I feel toward opposing ball clubs. If we don't have a rival, how will anyone know which games matter most at the beginning of the season? Sure every game matters, but there is something to be said for manufacturing drama, especially on a sports blog.

Since the dawn of sports, long term rivalries have existed for a number of reasons, including...

• The two teams that are competing have fan bases that are in close geographical proximity to one another, often leading for fans to root for one or the other.
• The teams are thrust into competing in crucial games year after year in which only one can prevail
• Both teams have an excellent player whose accomplishments for whatever reason are always compared to those of another team's excellent player.
• They are a great marketing tool for teams to entice fans to come to the arena, even if a season isn't going quite as planned.
  
• The media needs stuff to write about, and the fans want a reason to care more.
  

Frankly I don't want to start a discussion about who Hornets fans like the least, but that's exactly what needs to happen to determine a rival. Lot's of teams have angered the Bees over the years, and it's time fans let them know exactly how they feel.

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Last week we heard about Ryan's old man-ness and how he really wanted OKC to lose. His wish was granted, as the Kobe company took down the Thunder in six.

Today I welcome you to Haterville, the home of hate. Now before you get your panties in a bunch, realize that I don't really hate these teams per se, I just don't want them to win. Well, to be more accurate, I'm rooting for their demise.

Do I need reasons? No, it's a free country and I can hate whoever I want, except for players on the Hornets of course. And Michael Jordan, because he's the reason I started watching basketball all those years ago. And Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. If you're unsure about the requirement of love for Big Chief, I suggest you learn more about him.

Without further adieu:

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It's playoff prediction time here at Hornets247. No, the Bees won't be part in the postseason, but that doesn't mean that we can't have some fun talking about the 16 teams that have earned a shot to compete for the title. The seeding is set, players and coaches are preparing, and we're predicting.

Ryan Schwan: If ever there was a time when seeding was unimportant, it was this year in the Western Conference.  Seven games difference between the 1 seed and the 8 seed?  Point differentials that only vary by 2.6?  Crazy place, the Western Conference.

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An oft-spirited, oft-inconsistent game by the Hornets tonight. Stop me if you've heard this one before.

The first half was fast-paced and the teams matched each other blow-for-blow, balanced scoring for both clubs. The third quarter was where the Hornets lost it, as the Jazz flipped the switch to playoff mode and raced out to a 20-point lead. The Bees chipped away in the fourth and got it back to within 6 down the stretch, but Utah had too much execution to be denied. Kyle Korver's triple with 1:54 was the back-breaker, James Posey leaving him to help out on the Boozer-Williams pick and roll.

114-103 the final score.

Deron Williams vs. Darren Collison

Darren finished with 28 points and 7 assists, Deron with 27 and 16. Williams seemed to dominate the match-up, able to use his size and speed to give Collison problems at both ends. The third quarter was the most lopsided, with D-Will going off for 14 points and 4 assists, and that effort really changed the game. Williams got to the basket when he wanted, pushed the rock, finished in traffic when he had to, found the open man when the help came, and just really picked the Hornets apart. Not a happy time for DC.

Collison would redeem himself a little by being relentless in the fourth quarter and helping the Hornets get back in it. Lil' Scrappy.

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The Hornets host the Jazz tonight in the third-last game of the season, and their penultimate home game. Tip off is at 7 Central.

The Jazz are 51-28 on the season, 19-20 on the road and have lost two of their last three. On Wednesday they got blown out by the Rockets in Houston, 96-113. Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 18 points and 11 boards, but his team never really challenged in the second half.

As things currently stand, Utah are the fifth seed in the West, but are just a game behind the Nuggets for the second seed, so they've still got plenty to play for.

The Hornets trail the season series 1-2, having lost the last two meetings. The most recent was March 20, at the Arena. The Jazz won that one 106-86, getting double-doubles from Deron Williams and Paul Millsap.

As regards injuries, Andrei Kirilenko (strained left calf) is out for the Jazz, while Mehmet Okur (left Achilles' tendinitis) is questionable tonight. For the Hornets, Chris Paul (torn finger ligament) has been shut down for the season, while Peja Stojakovic is still out indefinitely.

Numbers:

Pace: Jazz 95.9 (10th), Hornets 94.7 (16th)
Offensive Efficiency: Jazz 108.8 (8th), Hornets 104.7 (16th)
Defensive Efficiency: Jazz 103.0 (11th), Hornets 107.3 (23rd)

Linkage:

• Earlier on the blog: Trading George Shinn for Gary Chouest
• Journals: Marcus gets dunk of the night on NBA.com
• Rival bloggers: Salt City Hoops (THN) | SLC Dunk | True Blue Jazz

(Many thanks to Dariusz for today's banner featuring Chris Paul. Be sure to check out more of Dariusz's designs in our Wallpapers vault.)