Game Preview: Hornets vs. Warriors 3/18/13

The New Orleans Hornets begin their longest homestand in recent memory Monday evening, when they host the Golden State Warriors in a Western Conference matchup. Over the next two weeks, Hornets fans will have the opportunity to see six of the 16 teams that will likely comprise the 2013 NBA playoff field. During its lengthy stretch of seven home games in 14 days, New Orleans will entertain Western Conference postseason hopeful Golden State, as well as virtual locks Memphis (Friday), Denver (March 25) and the Los Angeles Clippers (March 27). The Hornets also face Eastern Conference playoff club Boston on Wednesday, as well as Miami (March 29). The seven-game span ends on March 31 vs. Cleveland, the only New Orleans opponent of the seven that has no realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

The Hornets hope to continue to build on their much-improved play in the New Orleans Arena over the past three months. While often playing shorthanded through Jan. 1, the Hornets were just 3-13 in their own building, but have gone 9-7 here since, including quality victories over San Antonio, Houston and Portland (twice). Their four previous March home games have all come down to the final two minutes, resulting in dramatic wins over Detroit and Portland, as well as heartbreaking defeats to Orlando and the Los Angeles Lakers.

New Orleans’ previous two matchups vs. Golden State this season have followed a similar storyline, with the Warriors building a semi-comfortable halftime lead, the Hornets mounting a second-half rally, but ultimately coming up short. Golden State posted a 103-96 victory against New Orleans on Dec. 18, then eked out a high-scoring 116-112 verdict in the Crescent City on Jan. 19.

Immediately following this seven-game homestand, the Hornets will head out West for a five-game road trip, beginning with an April 3 contest in Oakland against Golden State.

Intriguing matchup: Point guard, Greivis Vasquez vs. Stephen Curry
Vasquez and the Hornets’ defense must pay special attention to Curry, who produced one of the best games of the 2012-13 NBA regular season by any player. Curry, the son of Hornets all-time leading scorer Dell Curry, poured in 54 points at New York. Vasquez had 20 points and 11 assists at Golden State on Dec. 18, but struggled in the Jan. 19 game.