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Bobcats-Hornets Preview

Apr 7, 2010 - 4:10 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Charlotte (40-36) at New Orleans (35-43), 8:00 p.m. EDT

While the Charlotte Bobcats are slowly moving toward securing the franchise's first playoff berth, they won't have to wait long for a chance to snap a different drought.

The Bobcats look for their first road win over the New Orleans Hornets as the clubs square off Wednesday night.

Charlotte (41-36) has won six of eight and is in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Bobcats can put themselves on the cusp of securing a postseason spot with a victory over New Orleans.

Charlotte, which fell 104-99 at home to the Hornets (35-43) on Feb. 6, is 0-5 all-time in New Orleans. It's averaged 85.8 points in those games, losing by an average of 15.8 points.

The Bobcats head to Louisiana after a opening a 20-point lead in the first quarter and holding on for a 109-100 win at home over Atlanta on Tuesday. Gerald Wallace led six players in double figures with 28 points while Stephen Jackson finished with 15 points.

"It felt good because we didn't have to work too hard tonight," Jackson said.

With Chicago's loss to Milwaukee also on Tuesday, Charlotte's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to two. The Bulls are idle Wednesday.

While the Bobcats play three of their final five games on the road, four are against teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. Charlotte has lost four of five on the road, where for the season the team is averaging 91.7 points - down from 98.5 at home.

The Bobcats may have better luck scoring against the Hornets on the road, though, given that New Orleans is allowing 105.8 points over its last six contests.

The Hornets are coming off one of their worst efforts of the season in a 115-87 loss to league-worst New Jersey on Saturday. They were outscored 31-16 in the fourth quarter and shot 39.8 percent while going 1 for 11 from 3-point range.

David West scored 25 points and had seven rebounds and six assists, but Chris Paul was held to four points on 2 of 11 shooting. Paul, who missed 25 games after left knee surgery that kept him out of the All-Star game, has averaged 9.4 points and shot 40.0 percent in seven games since returning.

"With any team when someone goes down with an injury for a long time it's going to be an adjustment," said Paul, who didn't face Charlotte in February. "We played strong but it's always tough. It was tough watching because you have to come back and get your rhythm."

West, who scored 21 points against the Bobcats in the most recent meeting, is averaging 19.4 points against them in his career.

Charlotte will be without center Theo Ratliff, who will attend his grandmother's funeral. He's averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 25 games since being acquired in February from San Antonio.