Hornets.com postgame: Wizards 99, Hornets 89
Thursday, March 15, 2012
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
Wizards (10-32), Hornets (10-34)
It was over when
Washingtons John Wall threw down a resounding alley-oop dunk, giving the visitors a 97-83 lead with 2:35 remaining. The Wizards went on to post a relatively easy victory that was typified by the Wall slam. Washington enjoyed a commanding 27-6 advantage in fast-break points, en route to handing New Orleans its third straight loss during this weeks three-game homestand. Next up is a Saturday game at New Jersey. The Hornets have only won twice on their home floor since late January.
Hornets MVP: There were a multitude of rumors all over cyberspace about possible destinations for Chris Kaman, but at the end of Thursday, he was putting up 20 points and seven rebounds in a Hornets uniform. Kaman actually jokingly tweeted owow! almost exactly at the 2 p.m. Central trade deadline, causing Twitter followers to wonder what he was referring to, but minutes later he tweeted a picture of himself putting together some Legos. He said his owow! was in reference to that. Anyway, the 7-foot center continued to be one of New Orleans primary scoring threats as the Hornets try to generate enough offense to win.
Hornets Sixth Man of the Game: For the second time in as many nights, Greivis Vasquez had a solid shooting night, going 2-for-3 from the three-point arc among a 4-for-9 overall performance. The second-year point guard totaled 10 points and six assists, often paired with Jarrett Jack. Vasquez logged 38 minutes, while Jack played 40.
The buzz on
frustration mounting. Although yesterday's matchup vs. the Lakers featured an inspired performance by the Hornets, the bottom-line result of the three-game homestand over four days was an 0-3 record, with losses to both of the NBAs worst clubs record-wise. Its a tough one to say the least, Jack said of Thursdays defeat. Its one of those losses that you just find yourself shaking your head afterward. Its difficult. Trevor Ariza: Its frustrating losing like this. Thats all I can really say. I hate losing, and we seem to lose almost every time that we step out on the floor. Its pretty frustrating. The baffling aspects of 2011-12 continued this week in the Hive, with the Hornets playing by far their best of the three games against the most talented and highest-caliber opponent. New Orleans is a combined 0-6 against Sacramento (the second-worst team in the West), Charlotte, Washington and Toronto (the three poorest clubs in the East).