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Paul, Hornets hope to rebound vs. Timberwolves

Feb 2, 2007 - 4:38 PM Minnesota (22-23) at New Orleans (19-26) 8:00 pm EST

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) - Star point guard Chris Paul hopes to have a better showing in his second game back.

Paul and the New Orleans Hornets try to get back on track as they welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

The 2006 Rookie of the Year, Paul made his long-awaited return Wednesday after missing 17 games with a badly sprained right ankle. The 22-year-old Paul had nine points and two assists in 28 minutes of an 89-78 loss that ended a three-game winning streak for the Hornets.

"I felt fine," Paul said. "I think that everything will start clicking once we get back into a groove. It is very disappointing for me. The team has won three straight. I come back, and we get beat like we did."

Minnesota would also like to bounce back from Wednesday's 100-98 home loss to Sacramento despite impressive performances from former Hornet Ricky Davis and All-Star Kevin Garnett.

The Timberwolves saw the season debut of second-year swingman Rashad McCants, who had offseason microfracture surgery on his right knee. He netted two points in five minutes.

In their most recent meeting here November 24, Minnesota came away with an 86-79 triumph behind Davis' 23 points. Paul paced the Hornets with 18 points and seven assists.