Almost exactly one month after the Indiana Pacers handed the New Orleans Hornets a 115-107 overtime defeat, the two teams meet in the Crescent City for a Saturday rematch. On Thanksgiving Eve in Indianapolis, the Pacers used a franchise-record nine three-pointers from Paul George to outlast the Hornets, who couldn’t hang on to a fourth-quarter lead. In the extra five-minute period, Indiana enjoyed an 18-10 scoring advantage.
Among the NBA’s other 29 teams, the Pacers may have as many connections to the Hornets and the city of New Orleans as anyone. Indiana’s leading scorer, power forward David West, made two All-Star appearances as a member of the Hornets (in 2008 and 2009) and ranks near the top of the list in franchise history in several statistical categories. Although he has not played yet in 2012-13 due to a left knee injury, Danny Granger is a New Orleans native who excelled in high school hoops at Grace King in Metairie. Pacers backup point guard D.J. Augustin is also originally from the city and led Brother Martin to a pair of state championships in high school.
George racked up a team-best 37 points in the Nov. 21 victory over New Orleans, while West added 16 points. Augustin chipped in with three points and three assists in 18 minutes of action. The Hornets were paced by Robin Lopez’s 21 points (including 15-for-17 foul shooting), while Jason Smith (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Ryan Anderson (17 points, 5-for-5 three-point shooting) also delivered stellar performances.
The Pacers are a rare Eastern Conference opponent thus far in the month of December for the Hornets, who are 3-6 against clubs from that half of the NBA. New Orleans has defeated Chicago, Charlotte and Milwaukee. In a scheduling oddity, each of the Hornets’ upcoming four games are also against the East (at Orlando, vs. Toronto, at Charlotte, vs. Atlanta).
Intriguing matchup: Center, Robin Lopez vs. Roy Hibbert
Both players generated one eye-popping stat in the previous Hornets-Pacers matchup, with Lopez dropping in a career-high 15 free throws, and Hibbert blocking a career-most 11 shots. By comparison, in his five-year NBA career, Lopez averages about 1.3 made foul shots per game, while Hibbert’s career blocks average is 1.7. In his first season with the Hornets, Lopez is averaging double-digit points for the first time as a pro.
