I'm more relieved than happy that the Hornets beat the Nets yesterday, 111-107. I doubt even a blowout win would have satisfied me completely. This team is so maddeningly unpredictable lately, that you can't get comfortable even for a second. The next game could be their best or worst of the season, doesn't matter who the opponent may be.

And yet, despite the numerous hiccups, there are our Hornets, tied for the eighth and final Playoff spot in the Western Conference. Somebody slap me…

• Linkage: box | recap | video

• Me no lie: the Hornets are tied for that eighth spot with those mighty Warriors of Golden State. Full standings here.

  Problem is, the Hornets are 1-3 against G-State this season, so they have the tie-breaker over us. If the season started today, we'd be left out in the cold with a shitty lottery pick.

• The Hornets trailed by seven in this one with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. It looked like we were heading down the familiar too-little-too-late route, but 27 points thereafter by the Hornets was just too much for the Nets.
• David West had it stuck on automatic, pouring in a season-high 32 points on 11-18 shooting. He also finished with 8 rebounds and 4 steals.
• Outscoring West and keeping the Nets in the game was one Vincent Lamar Carter. The walking trade rumor scored New Jersey's final 15 points to finish with 46. That be an individual high against the Hornets this season. Can't say Devin Brown or Rasual Butler or Desmond Mason (or whoever else took a turn guarding Carter) can be faulted for their defense; Vince was just had it going. He made some tough shots.
• Chris Paul continued his inconsistent shooting, dropping just 5-of-14 field goals for 19 points. He did have 11 of those assist things however.
• Bobby Jackson went to the basket hard and often, resulting in a bunch of free throws and 17 points. That's his highest output in almost four weeks. Maybe he heard about Speedy Claxton being better than him.
• Jason Kidd, who could be a Laker by 2pm today, shot a woeful 2-of-14 for 6 points, but did add 14 assists and 9 rebounds.
• Former Hornet Bostjan Nachbar followed up his 26-point outburst in Toronto last week by dropping 6 of his 8 field goals yesterday, good enough for 15 points. The two dudes we traded him for didn't have as much of an impact. Linton Johnson managed 4 points and 3 rebounds, while Marc Jackson spent his evening on the pine.
• Joe Netsfan wraps it up from the East Coast.

And that will pretty much do it. Hornets back in action tomorrow in my future home city of New Orleans. The Seattle Supersonics will be the opponent, with their big and scary losing record. Can't hardly wait.