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Hornets hope for better outing vs. Spurs

Dec 23, 2006 - 2:46 PM San Antonio (20-7) at New Orleans (11-14) 8:00 pm EST

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Hornets try to make things a little more interesting when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

In New Orleans on December 14, the Hornets were embarrassed, 103-77. After three quarters, the Hornets trailed, 85-62.

The Hornets were shorthanded in that contest, playing without David West (elbow), Bobby Jackson (cracked rib) and Peja Stojakovic (back). The trio all will be sidelined for Saturday's contest as well.

Desmond Mason, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, scored the go-ahead basket in overtime as the Hornets snapped their four-game slide with a 100-97 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Marc Jackson had season highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul added 15 and 14 assists for the Hornets, who dominated the glass, 57-37.

The Spurs saw their five-game winning streak end Friday in a 97-78 setback to the Houston Rockets.

Manu Ginobili scored 23 points and Tony Parker added 21 for San Antonio, which shot just 40 percent (29-of-72) overall.

The Spurs have won seven of the last eight road meetings against the Hornets.