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Hornets aim to stay perfect vs. Blazers

Nov 13, 2010 - 3:55 PM (Sports Network) - The undefeated New Orleans Hornets will try to continue the best start in franchise history when they welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to the Big Easy this evening.

New Orleans began both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns with 4-0 marks and improved to 7-0 this season with Tuesday's 101-82 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Reserves Willie Green and Jerryd Bayless scored 19 and 15 points, respectively, for the Hornets, who posted their 14th straight win over the Clippers.

"We talked about our bench having to step up and play with a sense of urgency and not have as many mistakes," Hornets first-year head coach Monty Williams said. "Willie (Green) and Jerryd (Bayless) offensively put up some points and I thought defensively we had good ball pressure."

Star point guard Chris Paul added 13 points and eight assists, while Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza netted 12 points apiece in the win. New Orleans is the last remaining unbeaten team in the NBA and 4-0 as the host this season.

Meanwhile, the Blazers opened a three-game road trip with Friday's 110-108 loss at Oklahoma City, as Andre Miller did his best with 19 points and 10 assists in a losing cause.

Brandon Roy shook off a sore left knee to post 24 points and Nicolas Batum finished with 21 points for Portland, which has alternated wins and losses over its last eight contests and got 15 points from Rudy Fernandez. The Blazers also gave up 10 straight points late in the game.

"We said at halftime the first team to play some defense would win," said Blazers head coach Nate McMillan. "We just have to make plays late in the fourth quarter."

The Blazers will also visit Memphis and are 3-3 away from the Rose City.

Portland won two of the three meetings with New Orleans a year ago. These two teams have split the last eight games in the series.

The Hornets are 8-4 in the previous 12 matchups as the host.