• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Hornets, Kings play out the string

Apr 16, 2007 - 3:15 PM New Orleans (37-43) at Sacramento (33-47) 10:00 pm EDT

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Hornets aim to snap a two-game losing streak when they face the sliding Sacramento Kings in a battle of teams out of playoff contention.

The Hornets suffered a 123-112 loss to Houston on Saturday, ending their playoff hopes. With just two games left in the season, New Orleans is three games behind the Los Angeles Lakers (40-40) and Golden State (40-40) for the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference.

David West scored a season high-tying 33 points and Chris Paul had 21 points and 15 assists in Saturday's loss. Hornets coach Byron Scott blamed his team's poor play on the absence of Tyson Chandler (toe) and Desmond Mason (broken nose).

"The last week or so, our defense has suffered," Scott said. "We've been missing our two best defensive players and it shows. This game shows how important Tyson and Desmond are to the success of this team."

While the Hornets will miss the playoffs for the third straight year, the Kings will be out of the postseason for the first time in nine campaigns.

But on Sunday, the Kings dealt the Los Angeles Clippers a serious blow to their playoff hopes with a 105-100 victory. Mercurial forward Ron Artest collected 15 points and a career-high 10 assists.

The Hornets have won two of the three meetings between the teams this season, including a 110-93 victory on February 14. However, Sacramento has won the last 11 meetings at Arco Arena.