Game 75: Hornets @ Warriors Preview/Open Game Thread

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 9:09 PM CDT in Previews Comment 149 comments

The big news is Peja Stojakovic will return tonight. According to Byron Scott, he should get about 20-25 minutes off the bench. I will consider tonight a success if Peja is healthy at the end of the night; for now, I don't really care how he shoots. As long as he can build up some strength over these next few games, he can once again be an invaluable piece. There's still no word on Tyson Chandler, though Chandler did blog this week that his cast has been removed. The Times-Pic also reported that TC could return for the final three games.

Anyways, the Warriors are something of a mess right now. That said, they're still a very capable offensive team (10th in offensive efficiency). If we fail to close out on shooters, this could turn into a bad night in a hurry. The Dubs also have Monta Ellis back in the mix and playing well. He had a scary moment against Sacramento on Wednesday but otherwise appears to be fine. Stephen Jackson is out for the year, but that could actually be a bad thing for us. Instead of Jackson firing up ill advised threes at a 33% clip, they now have Kelenna Azuibuike, who not only shoots very smart threes, but also connects on 45% of his looks.

The key to coralling GSW's high key offense is to stop them from getting to the line. Currently the league's 3rd best free throw taking attack, the Dubs' foul drawing is led by Corey Maggette (9.4 FTA/36). Nobody else is close to that, but some other key players- Crawford, Randolph, and Wright- all average in the 3-4 range. That puts the onus big time on Hilton Armstrong tonight. He could either be in for a terrible night or he could take a big step forward defensively. We've seen him make significant strides on the offensive end, so I have some confidence.

Defensively, Golden State allows opponents to shoot great percentages, doesn't force turnovers, and fouls more than average. Most importantly, they are the worst defensive rebounding team in the NBA by a good margin (Interestingly, 3 of the bottom 5 and 5 of the bottom 11 defensive rebounding teams reside in the Pacific Division). So I expect Julian Wright to have a big impact on this game, given his high offensive rebounding totals of late. Go Hornets.

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Online Stream

http://atdhe.net/live-tv-5870.html

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 9:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a good start for Hilton

Drops the pass, fails to box out.

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 9:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny

One of the Warriors’ TV network “Keys to the Game” was allow Chris Paul to shoot the jumper. Not working out to great for them.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just writing a post about that now

And wow these Warriors guys are annoying.

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh Missed Dunk

But great pass from Paul.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 9:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ouch, horrible start

GSW hitting crazy shots

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love how the only person back on the break is Peja

Good job Hornets.

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

:/

Warriors run.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So I just turned on the game

What’s the problem so far

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Crawford's on fire.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty much it.

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah that's pretty much it

Should cool down

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Hope they are not underestimating a short handed team. They should know that missing key players is dangerous if you take them lightly. Ask the spurs

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shield your eyes

The bench is in.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Minus Marks =P

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like they’re doing better than expected against the Warriors’ first unit

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The bench has really progressed in the past couple of games.

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sean Marks has a BA in political science.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh..no one knew that?

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lol Morrow with 3 fouls

Nice

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

D:

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This defense is absolutely pathetic

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They look flatfooted on defense

Just watching people drive to the basket.

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is Chris Paul not in the game again?

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess Byron gearing up to play him the entire 2nd half

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll have to play the whole 2nd half

so he’s getting as much rest as possible

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The second unit seems to be playing better tonight..from what I can see on GameChannel

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

They are about to be down 15 to a 7 man team

because they are not thinking or taking them seriously.

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well Utah just lost

So there’s that

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

But the Spurs won.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Paul

Wow assist.

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That was sweet

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How can a person possibly be this good at basketball

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Morrow for MVP!

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's with the offensive fouls

cmon

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Juju

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

x2

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOLOL Wright

missed two dunks

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha,

Sad but funny

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WTF JUJU!

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think if I could combine one player's mind into another player's body

I would put Chris Paul’s brain in Anthony Randolph’s body.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

WTF is JuJu doing?

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

David West. That was absolutely pathetic. Did anyone else see that? LAZIEST play of the season by any player

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Woah now

Ricky Davis does play in the NBA, lest we forget.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

though that was pretty bad

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahahaha

I lol’d

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I noticed

He just stood there and watched Morrow go (or was it Randolph)

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know

I’m happy he’s trying to tough it out but he’s a total liability on D. And if he’s not going to be affective on offense at least try on defense. He just figured the time would run out and halftime. No you don’t stop until the buzzer sounds.

And CP should’ve been at the freethrow line with that bump. crawford got touched and a foul was called. I hate when refs have two different rules

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How's Kiwi doing?

StupidTV in NZ doesn’t broadcast many Hornet’s games

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Online stream:

http://atdhe.net/live-tv-5870.html

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love his energy

It’s great how he tries to dunk every time he’s near the hoop. Hilton’s learning too, but if Marks could teach him how to do that..

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah…tried to figure out why he’s had the most FT attempts thus far, he’s going to the hoop more than usual?

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And LA and Houston tied at the half

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 10:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's stunning how close we are to the 2nd seed

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

SA has been playing really poorly. Portland plays there this next week… I wonder if they will keep resting Ginobili and Duncan on the second night of back to backs, like it will be on Wednesday.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hello everyone.

Dallas lost too. I predict CP goes supernova in the third, envelopes the entire Oracle Arena, and leaves a heap of rotting corpses behind. FIguratively. Maybe.

HornetsHype.com

by m-W on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jazz fans not happy

8 > 3!

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Julian's shot is not there tonight

he’s rushing too much.

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Or is anyone but DX in the 3Q.

HornetsHype.com

by m-W on Apr 3, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yikes

that floater by DX was way off.

draft dejuan blair

by Cablinasian on Apr 3, 2009 10:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Julian looks disgusting tonight.

Although he does have 8 rebounds.

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They are playing Warriors ball. shooting early in the shot clock

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 10:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

errr Hilton

by Junsier on Apr 3, 2009 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow Hilton. That was disgraceful.

I think he’s the first Hornet to airball a free throw, correct?

Devin Brown is a basketball God!

by chandlerfan6 on Apr 3, 2009 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What!

I look away for one minute, and I miss this?

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus why can't this team make a darn shot

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 11:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't matter how good Chris Paul is

If we don’t play defense. We’re turning the Warriors into 5 Chris Pauls on every play.

by atthehive on Apr 3, 2009 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

DX with 40 straight FT makes...

HornetsHype.com

by m-W on Apr 3, 2009 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Don’t jinx man!!

by JChangNZ on Apr 3, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Peja is back from injury and MoPete

Is back to riding the pine?

by RonD on Apr 3, 2009 11:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey I have an idea.

If we can’t score, let’s leave Mo Pete on the bench. You know. That guy who was our starting 2 on Day 1. Yeah. Maybe DB and AD can come in for that deadly 1-2 punch. Woo.

HornetsHype.com

by m-W on Apr 3, 2009 11:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs