We're back in the Big Easy today, folks. And by "we" I mean "they" and by "they" I mean "the Hornets". It might have been easier to just rewrite that first sentence, but whatever.

The Rockets come to New Orleans having absolutely crucified the Mavericks in Houston last evening, with a final score of 107-76. Yao scored 36 points on 12-of-16 shooting, while T-Mac's back managed just 8 points in 22 minutes.

Rafer Alston scored 14, dished 12 and stole 4 for the Rockets, while our old buddy Kirk Snyder chipped in 12 points. Only Dirk (24pts) and Josh Howard (16pts) really showed up for Dallas.

So today might be a good test for the Hornets. It's an emotional game given the return to N.O. and everything, but I think we learned from the Celtics last Wednesday that emotion means jack shit in the win column. The Rockets dropped their opener in Utah on Wednesday. Their current 1-1 record is, like, so inferior to the Hornets 2-0 record.

That said, massacring the Mavericks is no small feat, so we'll give Houston their dues. Nice to catch them on a back-to-back, though. Hopefully our guys will be better rested and ready to go. The game is being shown on NBA-TV, too, so there's that.

If you care, the Saints are also playing today. They're looking to bounce back from last week's horrible showing against Baltimore when they take on the Packers in Green Bay at noon. Shit, that's like three hours from now.

Lots of Hornets-related articles online this morning. I haven't even got through it all yet. Check our news section for zee linkage.

Welcome home, Hornets.