The Hornets are in Philadelphia today to meet the Sixers for the first time this season. Philly have been in the news for all the wrong reasons the past few months, from trading Allen Iverson, to buying out Chris Webber, to their lowly 11-30 record. After all that, they'd better get lucky in the Lottery.

Some random bits and pieces on today's game…

• We'll keep an eye on the Playoffs from here on out. As of this writing, our 16-23 Hornets are tied with the Kings for the eleventh best record in the West, but we're just 3.5 games away from that eighth spot, currently occupied by the 20-20 T-Wolves. The Clippers and Warriors are right in the hunt, too.
• The Sixers are 5-11 since trading Iverson, compared to 5-12 with him in the lineup earlier this season. They're 6-10 at home overall.
• Philly have lost four of their last five, the lone win in that stretch coming in OT against the visiting Heat last Friday. Andre Iguodala, Willie Green and Andre Miller each scored 16 points for the Sixers.
• Speaking of Miller, he was of course the principal return for Philly in the Iverson trade (Joe Smith came East, too). His numbers are actually down a little since the deal, averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 assists as the starting PG. Phil Jasner raves about Miller in today's Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Big Steven Hunter, who the Hornets acquired from the Sixers in a trade last year before sending him back after failing a physical, has played 31 games this season, scoring 4.6, boarding 3.6 and blocking 1.4. Hunter has moved into the starting lineup alongside Sam Dalembert in the past two games, and even busted out for a 10-point, 15-rebound performance against the Spurs on Sunday.
• Sammy D is nice in the middle, good for about 10 points, 8 boards and 2 blocks each outing. Sixers' honcho Mo Cheeks is liking him paired with Hunter inside.
• Philly dropped their last game, getting beat 99-85 by the Spurs at home. The other AI led the Sixers with 20 points. What kind of losers must they be though if they can't even beat the frickin Spurs? Sheesh.
• Philly's biggest threat right now is probably Iguodala. He's having a well-rounded season, averaging 16.2ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.9apg and 2.2spg.
• Kyle Korver can be lethal off the bench. He averages 14.3ppg, but has dropped 25+ four times in the past month.
• Found this while browsing for Sixers' pictures. I think I love her.

Had enough yet? Well that's all you're getting. Check the usual linkage below for plenty more on the Sixers, and don't forget there's still questions need answering in the latest trivia post.

Tip this evening is scheduled for 6pm CT. Keep rolling, Hornets.

• AP game preview
• Team stats
• Philadelphia Inquirer
• PhillyBurbs.com
• Trenton Times
• Sixers Shots