Game On: Suns @ Hornets

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Published: March 16, 2011

I’m baaaaaack. Apologies for being MIA over the past two weeks, but sometimes Mardi Gras happens, and then on occasion the real world comes calling.

Before I get to the game, I want to follow up on what donations will do for our coverage from New Orleans specifically. So far we have had interviews with Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, Marcus Thornton, and many more, completely ruined by our inadequate camera and audio equipment. You might be thinking- “nuh-uh! I check this site every day and I’ve never seen those!” Well, here’s why-

As you can tell, video interviews are a complete waste of time right now, which is why we have stopped doing them. With how unreliable my flip cam is, the only real option that I’ve had to get video of press conferences has been my cell phone camera. It’s not terrible for that purpose (although it is the worst camera that anyone covering the Hornets uses), imagine going into the locker room with a cell phone cam and trying to ask David West questions about specific defenses. Think about that for a second, because as of now that’s how I am forced to roll if I want to use video.

If we can raise enough money to get some decent A/V equipment, then we will utilize it as much as humanly possible. We will request more interviews with your favorite players, attend more practices, events, and press conferences, assuring that you, the fans, will get exactly what you crave from this site- More in depth coverage right from the source, more interviews with questions the MSM simply will not ask, more personal stories from the players, and a lot more behind the scenes footage of what the individuals that make up the Hornets franchise are really like.

With your help, we can take the next step forward.

Onto the game…

Matchup: Suns (33-32) @ Hornets(39-30)

Off Efficiency: Suns 106.9 (9th), Hornets 103.5 (19th)
Def Efficiency: Suns 107.0 (22nd), Hornets 100.9 (6th)

Pace: Suns 96.9 (6th), Hornets 91.2 (28th)

Injuries- Channing Frye is out for Phoenix. Steve Nash is slated to play, despite missing his previous two games.

Everyone is healthy for New Orleans.

In the first 69 games of the year, the Hornets and Suns met only once, a tightly contested 104-102 Suns victory on January 30th. In the final 13 games, with the playoffs looming and seeding still very much uncertain, the two squads will face each other three times. Make no mistake, these are all must win games for the Hornets. Chris Paul historically goes off against Nash and the Suns. With Nash’s injury not quite in the rear view mirror, and Paul playing inspired ball since returning from his concussion (30.0 points, 12.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 6.0 steals), it would be surprising to see anything less than a stellar Chris Paul performance.

The key to this game for New Orleans is to stop the three ball. With the loss to Denver on Monday, the Hornets fell to 1-13 when allowing 10 or more three pointers in a game. It’s a concern especially against Phoenix because they hit three pointers at a 38% clip, good for 5th best in the league this year. With Channing Frye out Phoenix loses one of it’s best long bombers, but they still have three guys on the team that hit three ball pretty regularly at 38% or better.

If the Hornets allow the Suns to take open three pointers throughout the game, then it’s feasible that they will be beaten.  Otherwise, expect a much needed New Orleans victory.

Game Notes

  • Hornets are currently tied for 6th in the Western Conference standings, 3.5 games ahead of ninth seeded Utah, 2 games behind fifth seeded Denver, and 5.5 games behind fourth seeded OKC.
  • Joe will be on Daily Dime Chat throughout the game, so stop by if you have a minute.
  • The remainder of away games (and all playoff games) will be supplemented with a live chat right here at Hornets247. You asked, and we listened.
  • All 13 of the remaining Hornets games are against teams that are no further than 3 games out of a playoff spot.
  • Does anyone else think it’s funny that Grant Hill, Steve Nash, and Vince Carter all start on the same basektball team?

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