Game 76: Hornets vs. Jazz Preview/Open Thread
by Rohan on Apr 5, 2009 4:44 PM CDT
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PrintThe Hornets return home from a tougher-than-it-should've-been Western swing today. Unfortunately, they'll face off against their toughest Western foe in the Utah Jazz.
All indications are that Peja Stojakovic will play again tonight, and probably in a reserve role. James Posey, initially expected back tonight from an elbow issue, will not play, and neither will Tyson Chandler.
The keys to tonight are simple in theory, but difficult in execution. Chief among them is defensive rebounding. Utah ranks 4th in the West on the offensive glass, and with Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap patrolling the inside, Hilton Armstrong will be faced with his toughest assignment of his recent resurgence. With West's ankle issues, the Hornets figure to be in for a tough night on the glass. Contributions of Rasual Butler, Julian Wright, and even Chris Paul will be necessary.
New Orleans also needs to keep Utah off the foul line. The Jazz have the second highest free throw rate of any team in the league. While they aren't as successful at conducting unimpeded foul-fests on the road, they still draw a ton of whistles. The Hornets struggled severely to keep guys like Jamal Crawford and C.J. Watson in check on Friday, and the Jazz are obviously equipped with far more talented players.
So defensively, both the above keys can be encapsulated by one word: energy. If the Hornets are outhustled tonight, they really stand no chance of stopping the Jazz offense. I really would not mind seeing a Ryan Bowen stint in this game.
On the offensive side of things, the Hornets will have to watch out for the Jazz's active hands. Utah forces more turnovers than any team in the conference. Some may argue that this is also because they get away with more contact than any team in the conference, but the point still stands. If CP goes into the lane without knowing what he's going to do (a recurring theme over the last few weeks), the Jazz will take it. If David West reacts to the double a second late, the Jazz will take it. New Orleans' ball control has slipped from last year's levels, and the Jazz are the ideal team to take advantage of that.
Rounding out Utah's defense, it is worth pointing out that they are a below average defensive rebounding team, they foul a lot, and they have an average field goal defense. The offensive glass will be there for the taking, if guys are willing to step up. Utah's high foul rates should lead to a high-penetration game plan. Every jump shot we settle for is more costly against a team like Utah. As with all New Orleans-Utah matchups, this will be about far more than Chris Paul vs. Deron Williams. Utah has the substantially better supporting cast, but with their inexplicable struggles on the road, we do have a shot. Go Hornets.
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LOL
Have you watched the Hornets lately? I’ll normally talk some unequivocal smack (see the 8 million Deron/CP posts on here), but it’s not looking good right now.
No I haven't
but I’m guessing you haven’t seen the Jazz as of late either.
They can’t win on the road. Blown out by the Blazers, and destroyed by the Nuggets (mostly JR Smith) after jumping up by 11 early. And those teams, like the Hornets, are playoff bound.
They just lost at home… to the Timberwolves!
On the plus side, it seems like AK is getting the start…
I'm one of the bigger CJ fans around (it seems)
but I think he’s being overpaid.
And he really hasn’t progressed like we (the fans) would like… though J-Slow still has no problem starting him game-in-game-out (though he only gives him like 16 minutes/game).
It’s also going to end the Morris Almond era here (kinda sad… he deserved a chance), and is even more money tied up in players with a potentially huge off-season ahead.
They will need to effort they played with vs the Spurs
Utah have matchup adv over Hornets, especially with the injuries. Hope they can deliver
Have to ask
both teams went after Mo Pete a couple years back.
You “won” and signed him, we ended up seeing Brewer improve big time.
Now, I see MoPete got a DNP in your last game, and isn’t playing much this season.
Is it an injury thing? Or has it just not worked out?
Yeah... Byron's just playing him real weird
Butler has pretty much replaced his production from last year. Still, him not getting minutes off the bench really hurts our depth. He seems fine, health wise.
Really though
You should know to hace your hands ready playing with CP
Brewer
What i wouldn’t do to have a slasher combo guard that is developing a good jumpshot on this team! Hornets have no one remotely like that. Why didn’t we draft CDR last year?
How many missed dunks
Is that over the last two games lol.
that was horrible foul by CP
Don’t let him score and get the foul geez
We've made some bad decision
But I don’t think we’re in the running for worst in the league. I mean… there’s always the Knicks.
I need a link to watch the game
The damn turkish one stopped working.
New Orleans Hornets: The most inconsistent team in the NBA.
Great, Chris Paul losing his head in the first quarter
I’m this close to turning this off right here.
Yeah
I think i’m going to go get something to eat, Mexican sounds good.
Will they go down like the suns did earlier today in a very important game?
looks that way so far.
Hornets-
Where aging jumpshooters making bank happens…
No offense
but when you’re giving Sean Marks 14 mpg in 53 games (so far)… you’re in trouble. At least your bench is.
WTFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFf
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Why no CP3? If this lead gets any bigger...
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
2 fouls early
and got a tech. the game was over after 1.
No I know he has 2 fouls. Why not just let the lead get to 40 and then bring him back.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
What the hell is Scott's fascination with Devin.
He’s the ultimate scrub. Why not get Mo out there! This is so frustrating
If we can get it down to 18 at half
We’re within striking distance lol.
Seriously, WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
CP3 HAS TO TAKE OVER!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
This team has no idea how to defend Utah
Their big men are getting whatever they want and they are just watching them. David’s turnovers to start the game set the tone for him.
No TC, BIG PROBLEM!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
MO'S COMING IN!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Why the hell is CP refusing to shoot?
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
the only way they will get back into this is with 3s
so they better get hot
Not exactly. He makes them when he takes them. CP has no knocks on him.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
I can't even watch this shit.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
I can't stop watching it
It’s like a bad accident, I can’t turn away even though its painful to watch.
On that note
This team is done, barring a miraculous comeback to full health by Tyson. I was sort of excited for the playoffs a couple weeks ago, but not any more. We’re done.
You guys
are at least a dominant home team. Win 3 at home and hope to steal a fourth on the road. With West hurt, Peja struggling, Tyson gone, Posey sucking, and Paul playing 42+ a night, a 7 game series win against a Denver/LA/Utah/SA is just a pipe dream at this point.
We hope we're dominant at home
the loss to Minny is kinda scary.
Yeah, without being at least somewhat healthy, there could be problems.
Is Chandler expected back soon?
That's what I've heard.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
C'mon no we're not. We just have absolutely no solution to the problem that is the Utah Jazz.
We can beat anyone else in the West and just hope Utah is eliminated in the first round.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
and i'll add
without the real peja or at least the peja from last year they have no chance. Posey isn’t going to be that much of a difference maker IMO.
One and done
We just cannot draw the Jazz in the playoffs.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
But we always struggle against the Jazz.
This game really doesn’t impact how I think we fare in the postseason.
Perfectly put.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
agreed. this game is pathetic... but it changes nothing
Im STILL excited for the playoffs… hoping that we’ll have Peja/Tyson/Posey all ready to go. Optimistic? Yes. But I’m hanging on to the hope.
Playoffs
Only way we win more than 2 games is if we get the Rockets or Spurs with their grinding style. The Blazers, Nuggets, Lakers, or Jazz would wear this team out.
Totally agree
They are too young and athletic. They will run circles around our bigs.
Just like they have right? NO! We have beat the Rockets, Nuggets and Blazers without TC and Peja.
Just imagine if they were healthy.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
"This team"...
The one missing Tyson…. with a damaged West, a just returned Peja, no Posey.
But with a healthy team… no. I think we matchup pretty well against Portland and Denver. We would have won the Portland reg. season series 3-1 if it weren’t for Paul getting injured in the 3rd quarter.
Healthy… I’m optimistic against any team except the Jazz.
Definitely.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
IF and its a big IF, we can get this down to 12-15 by the fourth....
then we might just be able to pull this out. Yes I do realize I’m being verrry optimistic.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
This is the only game...
That I’ve turned off all season. That first quarter was just too painful. 41-19?!? Really?
I'm here but not getting hopes up
Glad they finally playin like they want to win. Dwil is just too big for Paul and anyone on this team for that matter.
Can't give up now. Gotta keep the same guys out there. LETS GO!
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Wow
Well its a game again.
Trying not to get my hopes up though…
Hornets need to get some stops early in the 3rd.
Too bad Marks got that loose ball foul
Could have gone into the 3rd under double digts. That was a nice sequence by marks. Rebound, dunk, block.
CP please don't hurt that knee any further in this game
its over. thats all they need
That huge missed three by Daniels at 100-85
Sealed the loss. Very easily could’ve been Mo standing in the corner and gunning it in. But no.
Yep
I really wish Byron would freaking explain that choice… whether its Daniels or (especially) Brown or getting the minutes. Its like the draft… you go with “best available.” And Mo is always a better choice…
got to give it to D. Will...
21 points on 10 shots, 11 assists, 4 steals and no turnovers… a Chris Paul-like performance.
Not really. CP3 would have doubled D-Will's totals if he played against that Hornets defense in the first half.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
It doesnt always have to be about D Will vs Chris Paul...
Granted the D was lacking… but it was still a hell of a game by Williams. Just giving credit where credit is due.
Also
This will go onto the CP vs. DWill record for all the DWill supporters, who will conveniently ignore who else was on the floor.
The more you think about it
Even if both teams are at full health
Brewer > Butler, Kirilenko >> Wright, Okur = West, Boozer > Chandler, Korver = Peja, Miles = Mo, Millsap >>>>>>>>>>> Armstrong. The only reason these two teams are even remotely similar in overall talent level is Chris Paul.
Thats probably giving Okur a bit too much credit
But yeah.
And I’m tempted to say you are giving Korver too much credit too… but at this point in Peja’s career maybe not.
Yeah, you're right
Okur circa 2005 would be the better West equivalent. But it’s not a HUGE difference I guess.
Peja’s threes today made me happy…. if only we can get Chandler back!
We had Brev Brev on the floor
that “outdoes” anyone you had out there, including Devin Brown & Sean Marks. :)
Nah you guys are stacked
One bad apple does not spoil this bunch
It begs the question… why isn’t Utah better than Utah is? Its one of the deepest rosters in the league.
Well this year
there was injuries, but no one likes that excuse.
-Deron was out to begin the season, which shot up Brev Brev’s confidence to the point where he’s shooting jumpers he has no business taking.
-Booze missed 45 games… which has to be like a career low for him. :)
-Korver had hand issues that limited his effectiveness until February or so.
-Ak has missed some games, don’t remember why.
Other than that… no idea.
Maybe half the team realized they are going to be FAs (or could be) and decided to play for themselves?
Oh, and the back-up minutes that go to Brev Brev, Harpring & Jarron Collins (aka Flop) most definitely don’t help.
“Deron was out to begin the season, which shot up Brev Brev’s confidence to the point where he’s shooting jumpers he has no business taking.”
Hahaha, we’re familiar with this. Just replace Brevin with Devin.
Oh, okay.
I’ll blame it on that. :)
Though I don’t think that’s the entire problem… I just don’t know what else to blame.
Coaching?
The personnel?
Indifference?
The Hornets' problems can solely be blamed on injuries. Period.
CP injured
Peja injured
D-West injured
Tyson injured
Posey injured
Mo injured
JuJu injured
Even freaking Hilton was injured
However, I blame most of our struggles on the injury Sean Marks had in the beginning with his calf. He kindof cancels out Boozer and Okur. When the jumper is clanking the back iron he’s nearly unstoppable.
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
Seriously we are. Then the Jazz then San Antonio just for the experience
Devin Brown is a basketball God!
To be more accurate
you should blame your struggles on the fact that Marks is a rotation player for you guys.
We have many more problems
than that, basically we have 1/2 non scrubs coming off the bench. Ryan Bowen, Marks, Devin Brown none of these guys should even be in the NBA. Not to mention Peja has lost his touch and is even more of a liability on defense now.
Agreed on Bowen.
I don’t remember much of Brown… I know he was alright (at best) with the Jazz.
But Marks… I think he was one of the worst players in NBA 2K7, and I really doubt he’s gotten much better.
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