GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: NEW ORLEANS (10-6) at ATLANTA (6-8)

NBA: NEW ORLEANS (10-6) at ATLANTA (6-8)

<h3>Struggling Hornets look to regain momentum vs. Hawks</h3>

<div class="pre">New Orleans (10-6) at Atlanta (6-8) 7:30 pm EST</div>

ATLANTA (Ticker) - After a fast start, the New Orleans Hornetshave lost some of their sting.


They will attempt to get back on track when they visit theAtlanta Hawks on Friday.


The Hornets have dropped four of their last five games aftersprinting out of the gate at 9-2. Defense has been at the rootof the problem, as New Orleans has allowed at least 95 points ineach of the four losses.


Team leader Chris Paul is off to a staggering start, averaging18.6 points, 10.4 assists and 3.2 steals while shooting 90percent from the free throw line.


But with Paul, Morris Peterson and Peja Stojakovic logging mostof the minutes on the perimeter, the Hornets do not have astopper for other team's starting guards. They were burned for21 points on 8-of-12 shooting by Minnesota guard Marko Jaric inMonday's 103-94 loss to the Timberwolves.


The Hawks are moving in the opposite direction, having won threeof four after beginning the season 3-7.


They earned a 96-80 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.Joe Johnson led six players in double figures with 21 points.

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NEW ORLEANS VS ATLANTA - INACTIVES

NEW ORLEANS ATLANTA

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
R BOWEN LEFT KNEE INJURY L WRIGHT HAMSTRING INJURY
A HALUSKA COACH'S DECISION S CLAXTON LEFT KNEE INJURY
S STOUDAMIRE RIGHT ANKLE
A LAW LEFT ANKLE SPRAIN</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NEW ORLEANS AT ATLANTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


NEW ORLEANS ATLANTA

F Peja Stojakovic F Josh Smith
F David West F Marvin Williams
C Tyson Chandler C Al Horford
G Morris Peterson G Anthony Johnson
G Chris Paul G Joe Johnson

OFFICIALS: Bennett Salvatore
Sean Corbin
Derrick Collins</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 2
ATLANTA 4 8:50 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 11
ATLANTA 8 5:41 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 16
ATLANTA 15 3:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 28
ATLANTA 22 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW ORLEANS 28 28
ATLANTA 22 22 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

NOR - CHRIS PAUL 11, DAVID WEST 6, MORRIS
PETERSON 5
ATL - JOSH SMITH 7, JOSH CHILDRESS 6, ANTHONY
JOHNSON 3</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW ORLEANS 28 28
ATLANTA 22 22 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

NOR - CHRIS PAUL 11, DAVID WEST 6, MORRIS
PETERSON 5
ATL - JOSH SMITH 7, JOSH CHILDRESS 6, JOE
JOHNSON 5</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 31
ATLANTA 26 9:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 35
ATLANTA 33 6:09 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 39
ATLANTA 36 3:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 43
ATLANTA 45 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW ORLEANS 28 15 43
ATLANTA 22 23 45 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

NOR - CHRIS PAUL 16, DAVID WEST 8, TYSON
CHANDLER 6
ATL - JOSH SMITH 11, JOE JOHNSON 8, MARVIN
WILLIAMS 8</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 47
ATLANTA 47 9:08 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 56
ATLANTA 49 5:55 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 64
ATLANTA 56 2:54 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 68
ATLANTA 63 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW ORLEANS 28 15 25 68
ATLANTA 22 23 18 63 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

NOR - DAVID WEST 20, CHRIS PAUL 20, MORRIS
PETERSON 8
ATL - JOE JOHNSON 14, MARVIN WILLIAMS 12, JOSH
SMITH 11</div>

 

NBA: NEW ORLEANS at ATLANTA

<div class="pre">NBA NEW ORLEANS 72
ATLANTA 67 8:52 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>