Hornets.com postgame: Hornets 108, Clippers 100
Monday, March 15, 2010
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
The difference between winning and losing over the past few weeks has often been offensive balance and what kind of contributions the Hornets get from their role players. This was one of the best across-the-roster performances by New Orleans (33-35) in quite some time, with five different players reaching double figures in scoring. Two Hornets Morris Peterson and Aaron Gray tallied their season-highs in points, a major key to New Orleans posting its 13th consecutive victory over the Clippers.
Peterson tallied 17 points and drilled a season-best five three-pointers, helping the Hornets end a three-game overall losing streak and seven-game skein in road games. New Orleans most recent victory away from Louisiana had been Feb. 6. Gray added eight points off the bench in 11 minutes.
I just wanted to stay aggressive, Peterson said. I know my shots going to come. I know with this offense
when my numbers called, I try to make my shots and help the team win.
In several recent losses during a 1-7 stretch that preceded the win over the Clippers, its been big scoring nights from David West (24 points tonight), Marcus Thornton (17 points, 10 in fourth quarter) and Darren Collison (18 points), but not enough production from the remainder of the roster. Of course, over the past week, there have only been a total of five other bodies available.
Were not making any excuses, Peterson said of the shorthanded nature of the Hornets. I think every team goes through injuries. We havent made any excuses all year, so were not going to start doing it tonight.