Tonight, the Hornets will not play the role of spoilers unless it is their own lottery chances that they're spoiling. Two of the worst teams in the Western Conference meet up tonight in Oakland as our beloved New Orleans Hornets visit the Golden State Warriors. The teams have fought two other times this season with both teams losing to the visitor. The Hornets, coming off of a frustrating loss to the Clippers, have spent the past couple of days complaining about that and you have to wonder if they'll either be distracted by that going forward or if they'll use that to play hard tonight. Time will tell.

The Warriors entered the season with a new Head Coach who promised a commitment to defense and a postseason birth. Well, Golden State is 23-41 and they rank 27th out of 30 teams in the NBA in Defensive Rating. They specifically traded Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks to tank their season so they could retain their top 7 protected draft pick that was given to the Utah Jazz. Bogut and Stephen Curry can provide a great tandem moving forward if they ever get healthy, but that's a big if. And neither is playing tonight.

For the Hornets, Carl Landry saw reduced playing time in the loss to the Clippers and Monty has specifically stated that he wanted to limit the minutes of Eric Gordon in these last two games as well. We also know that Trevor Ariza has been excused from the team on this final road trip. Who knows what that implies going forward, but it's safe to say that tonight will be a game that only fans of both teams should care about.

The official injury report for the Golden State Warriors lists Andrew Bogut (ankle), Stephen Curry (ankle) and David Lee (groin/hip) are out, Andris Biedrins (concussion) is doubtful, and Nate Robinson (hamstring) and Dorell Wright (ankle) are listed as questionable. For the New Orleans Hornets, Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee), Chris Kaman (tibia) and Trevor Ariza (being too old to play for a bad team) will definitely be out for New Orelans.

Live in Staples tonight, the New Orleans Hornets visit the Staples Center to take on new-found rival the Los Angeles Clippers. Obviously, much could be made about the match-up again between Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets, but following the two times that the Hornets have already matched up against Chris Paul, that particular storyline seems a bit played out. Instead, it's just a match-up between the Hornets and a team that's vying for a particular playoff spot. Depending on the result of the Lakers game today, the Clippers still have a legitimate shot at the number three seed in the Western Conference and avoiding the Memphis Grizzlies. The Hornets, spoilers here down the stretch, look to give the Clippers some problems as well.

Some could be made about Eric Gordon returning to the Clippers. He was injured for the previous two match-ups between the Clippers and Hornets and still has seemed bitter about the way things ended with the Clippers prior to his trade for Chris Paul. However, Monty Williams has made it a point to say he won't play Gordon or Landry much down the stretch because he wants to continue to expand the minutes for his younger guys. So who knows how much revenge he'll really get or how well the Hornets will play without their two best offensive players. It's also worth noting that this is the first time that Jason Smith and Blake Griffin will play each other since their first fateful encounter (Smith was suspended for the last game). But I doubt too much will be done there on that end.

For the Clippers, they will be without Chauncey Billups (Achilles), have Blake Griffin (neck) and Reggie Evans (illness) listed as questionable and Chris Paul (thumb) listed as probable. For the Hornets, they will be without Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee), Chris Kaman (tibia) and Trevor Ariza (being under contract next year).

As always, Go Hornets!

The Hornets' home finale at the New Orleans Arena is tonight as they welcome the division rival Houston Rockets into The Hive. Coming off of a very disappointing effort last night against the Grizzlies, the Hornets look to rebound against Houston, who is in the middle of a very difficult stretch of their own. As it stands, the Rockets have fallen completely out of the playoff picture and are a half game behind the Utah Jazz for the eight and final playoff spot. They're also fresh off of being demolished in the fourth quarter by Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks last night and are looking to get back to their winning ways.

The Hornets, meanwhile, are still pushing to finish the season strong after a long stretch of disappointment from about January to March. Even with last night's loss, they've won five out of their last seven games. I'd also imagine they held Eric Gordon back last night in order for him to play in the home finale tonight against Houston (got to sell those season tickets). Jerome Dyson is coming off of a career high 24 point performance last night and the rest of the Hornets will look to continue to play spoiler tonight versus Houston.

The Rockets got both Marcus Camby and Samuel Dalembert back last night for their match-up versus Dallas but will still be without former Hornet Kevin Martin (shoulder). The Hornets seem to switch it up all the time with their injury list but the official report as of now is that they will be without Jarrett Jack (foot), Chris Kaman (tibia), Emeka Okafor (knee) and Trevor Ariza (for being under contract for next season). Eric Gordon is listed as questionable with his sore back. Chris Johnson is no longer on the injury list for the Hornets with his concussion because he's no longer with the team.

Go Hornets!

Our beloved New Orleans Hornets (enjoy it while it lasts) continue on the road tonight to take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum. The Hornets enter the game having won four straight and five of six; easily their best stretch of the season. Memphis, meanwhile, just beat Minnesota (thank you) to get back to their winning ways as they've won 11 of their last 15 games as well. I suppose, in essence, this makes it a match-up between two of the hottest teams in the league.

New Orleans, still with nothing to play for, continues to compete on a nightly basis and seems to enjoy playing the role of spoiler. They just defeated this same Grizzlies team on Sunday 88-75 at the New Orleans Arena. In that game, the Hornets forced 21 Memphis turnovers and held them to one of their lowest scoring outputs for the season. Essentially, they shut down everyone except for Rudy Gay. But the Hornets, although coming off a win, are coming off an ugly offensive performance of their own at Charlotte last Sunday. Something's gotta give.

For the Grizzlies, Marco Gasol still played against the Timberwolves coming off of a knee bruise he suffered in the match-up against the Hornets, but they will still be without Darrell Arthur (ACL). For the Hornets, it changes on a nightly basis, but the team is supposed to be without Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee), Chris Johnson (concussion), and Chris Kaman (tibia).

May not be able to say it much longer so I'll say it as often as I can: Geaux Hornets!

Welcome back, Hornets fans. Tonight, the Hornets square off with the Charlotte Bobcats in a match-up that used to have worst record in the league implications. Sadly enough, Charlotte has all but wrapped that up. With one of the worst possible teams in recent memory, the Bobcats players and former Hornets coach Paul Silas play to the best of their abilities, I guess, but simply aren't very good. The Hornets, meanwhile, have been really good lately (much to the chagrin of some Hornets fans). Coming off of the first three game winning streak all season, the Hornets went 4-1 on the team's recent five game home stand and are riding a ton of momentum into the place they used to call home.

While the Hornets can longer match the Bobcats record for futility this season, they could have a more embarrassing mark if they were to be the only team that the Charlotte Bobcats beat twice in this ugly season for them. The Bobcats won in New Orleans earlier on the year when a Trevor Ariza dunk attempt was blocked at the rim to close out the evening. The last match-up between the two teams was supposed to feature the first time two Mexican born players ever faced off in a game, but Eduardo Najera was unable to play due to injury. He will be unavailable again tonight, giving this game no ultimate significance.

For the Bobcats, DeSagana Diop (Achilles), Corey Maggette (Achilles) and Eduardo Najera (skull) are all out. For the Hornets, Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee) and Chris Johnson (concussion) will be out as well.

Geaux Hornets!

After going 3-1 so far on a current home stand, the Hornets look to end the five game stand tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies come in a game and a half out of fourth place and playing some terrific basketball. Aside from a hiccup against the San Antonio Spurs this week, Memphis has been playing among the best teams in the league. Everyone came back healthy for the Grizzlies in their victory over the Utah Jazz last night and they'll all be ready to go from here on out. Six of their last seven games (including two against the Hornets) are against teams with losing records; so Memphis will be primed to make a run at home court in the first round.

Meanwhile, the Hornets are looking for their first three game winning streak of the season and are coming off an emotional Friday in New Orleans sports history, as the team was bought by owner Tom Benson and followed it up with a thrilling victory at home against the Utah Jazz. Eric Gordon, originally ruled doubtful with his back injury, played and came up big in the fourth quarter with ten crucial points. Coach Monty Williams said he wanted to give the fans "something to be excited about going into the summer."

As has been the case for most opponents this season, the Hornets are 0-2 against Memphis but have managed to play them really hard. They dropped a 108-99 decision in Memphis earlier in the year followed by a 93-87 loss here at the New Orleans Arena. The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Darrell Arthur (ACL). For the Hornets, Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee) and Chris Johnson (concussion) will all be out tonight.

On this important day for the NBA in New Orleans, the Hornets face off against the city's former NBA tenant (and by former, we mean about 30 years ago) in the Utah Jazz. The Hornets continue their five game home stand currently sitting at 1-1 after a victory over the Sacramento Kings last week. The Jazz come in still fighting for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference while the Hornets continue to give teams fits regardless of who is in the line-up. They overcame the missing pieces with huge games from Jason Smith and Marco Belinelli on Wednesday night and the Hornets look to continue the organization's momentum tonight with a victory in the New Orleans Arena.

As everyone knows by now, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has purchased the Hornets and will now serve as the owner for the franchise. It comes at a team of great uncertainty for both the Hornets roster, front office and overall location in the city of New Orleans over the past couple of years. But that's all been settled and, from here on out, the Hornets can just worry about basketball.

For the Jazz, Raja Bell (knee), Jeremy Evans (ankle), Josh Howard (knee), C.J. Miles (calf), Paul Millsap (wrist) and Earl Watson (knee) are all not expected to play in tonight's game in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Hornets will be without Eric Gordon (back), Jarrett Jack (foot), Chris Johnson (concussion) and Emeka Okafor (knee).

Enjoy the future of Hornets basketball in New Orleans, people! Laisser le bon rouleau de temps. Go Hornets!

Tonight, the New Orleans Hornets continue a five game home stand against Marcus Thornton and the Sacramento Kings. The Kings come into the game having lost five in a row and losing last night in Dallas. The Hornets enter this game coming off of a frustrating loss to the Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night. Essentially, the only people that care about this game are Hornets fans and Kings fans.

It's actually a battle of futility here in the Big Easy as the teams have the two worst records in the Western Conference. The Hornets, having held on to that distinction all season long, are now facing stiff competition from Sacramento and Golden State as the season comes to a close. The biggest reason for the gap is probably that Sacramento, with a win tonight, will have swept the New Orleans Hornets in the season series for the first time since 2003-2004. DeMarcus Cousins has missed the two games versus the Hornets this season but looks to actually play tonight.

Expected out for Sacramento tonight are John Salmons (hip) and Francisco Garcia (concussion). Out for New Orleans tonight is Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee) and Chris Johnson (concussion). No word yet on if Trevor Ariza will take time away from the youngsters but Eric Gordon is questionable with his back injury. Last word reported is that he did not participate in the team's shoot around this morning, so it looks like he'll miss his 53rd game this season.

Tonight, the ever hated Los Angeles Lakers visit the Crescent City to take on our beloved New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets and Lakers have actually been a competitive series this season. Coming off of their six game series in the postseason last year (ahhh, the postseason), the Hornets have played the Lakers pretty tough. The Lakers came back from 17 down to defeat the Hornets in overtime the last time these teams played in New Orleans. And not too long ago, a Hornets team without Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza, Carl Landry, Emeka Okafor, Chris Kaman and Gustavo Ayon lost by 3 points in Los Angeles. That game is more known, however, for Kobe Bryant missing his first 15 shots against New Orleans before finishing 3-21; one of those three field goals being the game clincher.

Tonight, Kobe Bryant's out of the line-up for Los Angeles. Hopefully, to go with that, Andrew Bynum wants to continue his trend of shooting three pointers and getting ejected from games.

For the Hornets, Jarrett Jack (foot), Emeka Okafor (knee) and Chris Johnson (concussion) are all out. For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant (shin), Jordan Hill (knee) and Christian Eyenga (toe) are all out.

Beat LA! Geaux Hornets!

Still no Jarrett Jack apparently; Greivis Vasquez gets the start again next to Eric Gordon.