Hornets tried a late fourth quarter rally but it was their first quarter poor performance that caused a rare loss at the Hive. Hornets lose 97 – 90…lose in better fashion than their first meeting in the first day of the season but it is still a loss. Even without starter Richard Jefferson (back spasms), the Hornets could just not stop Tony Parker and Tim Duncan.

Game 40: Spurs 97 @ Hornets 90

— Both all-stars, Paul and West, had 18 points while Paul added 9 assists and West added 8 rebounds. Peja and Devin had 9 points each. Emeka only had 2 points and 2 rebounds in an embarrassing performance.

–Posey had 4 points but 10 boards…Songalia had 8 points…Thornton had 16 off the bench in 50% shooting

–Spurs Big Three: Tony Parker had 25 points…Duncan had 21 points and 14 rebounds…I hate Ginobili as much as the next guy because of his flopping reputation but his play backs him up as he had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

–DuJuan Blair, who some thought would be drafted by the Hornets, had 8 points and 13 boards.

–Hornets outscored 29-16 in the first qtr…Spurs outscored 29-19 in 4th

–The Hornets/Spurs rivalry is still brewing stemming from the “Battle in New Orleans” (no pun intended) in the 2008 West Conference Semifinals which resulted in SA winning the 7th game in N.O. There was a mix-up between Duncan and Songalia, double technicals from Parker and Posey, and a face-off between Duncan and Posey after Duncan delivered a slap to Posey after a follow-through on a lay-up. These would’ve been major game-changers if the game was closer but the Spurs got the W.

–Hornets now 21-19 and face Memphis at the Hive on Wednesday…another weekend back-to-back with @ Wolves on Friday and @ Nuggets on Saturday.

-Mr. Kennedy