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Paul, Hornets look to bounce back vs. Celtics

Mar 19, 2007 - 2:18 PM Boston (20-46) at New Orleans (29-37) 8:00 pm EDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- The window for the New Orleans Hornets' postseason hopes might be starting to close.

The slumping Hornets look to continue their playoff push when they host the Boston Celtics on Monday.

Even with their recent struggles, the Hornets still are within reach for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, trailing the Golden State Warriors (32-36) by two games.

However, Saturday's 125-103 defeat against the Washington Wizards did not help the Hornets, who had just ended a six-game slide one day earlier against the New York Knicks.

Despite battling a nagging foot injury, Hornets guard Chris Paul collected 21 points and eight assists in the loss.

The Celtics figure to be riding high following their impressive 91-85 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Paul Pierce scored 30 points for Boston, which will try to avenge its season-opening 91-87 loss to the Hornets on November 1.

The Hornets are going for their first season-series sweep of the Celtics since the 2000-01 season, when the franchise was location in Charlotte.