The Hornets are back on the road, and they’ve got a tough test tonight in Utah facing the 18-15 Jazz.

The Hornets have gone 2-8 against Utah the past three seasons, and haven’t won in Salt Lake since February 25, 2006, which was Chris Paul’s rookie season. Back then, Devin Brown was the starting 2-guard for the Jazz.

This seems to be a good time to play Utah though, since they’ve lost four of six overall. On Saturday they hosted a Nuggets team without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups but still managed to lose, 95-105. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer have been steady of late for the Jazz, but most of their teammates seem to be slumping. Head coach Jerry Sloan has been rolling with Ronnie Price and rookie Wesley Matthews in recent fourth quarters.

The Hornets have won two straight, but have yet to beat a winning team on the road this season. The Jazz are 12-5 this season at EnergySolutions Arena.

Game tips at 8 p.m. Central.

Linkage:

• Lagniappe: Year in review, CP’s wheels and a grade for the Hornets’ first 30
  
• Rival bloggers: Salt City Hoops | SLC Dunk | True Blue Jazz

(Many thanks to Dariusz for the banner, today featuring the legendary Pistol Pete Maravich. Be sure to check out more of Dariusz’s designs in our Wallpapers vault.)