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Suns travel to the Big Easy to face the Hornets

Feb 6, 2013 - 3:27 PM (Sports Network) - The New Orleans Hornets hope a quick return to the Big Easy will cure what ails them as they entertain the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night.

The Hornets lost the last four tests on a recent five-game road trip, which concluded with Saturday's 115-86 setback at Minnesota. Anthony Davis scored 18 points and Robin Lopez donated 16 for the Hornets, who have lost six of seven overall and are in the midst of playing eight of nine games on the road.

New Orleans committed 23 turnovers, leading to 29 Wolves' points.

"I think unforced turnovers (were the issue)," Lopez said. "That, we simply cant allow. It happened in Denver. That's probably why the Nuggets won the game, too."

Hornets guard Eric Gordon did not play against the Timberwolves because of a sore knee and balky back, and has missed two of the previous three games. He is listed as probable for Wednesday and is averaging 16.9 ppg.

After hosting the Suns, New Orleans, which sports a 7-15 record on the banks of the Mississippi, will return to the road to visit Atlanta, Toronto and Detroit.

Phoenix will continue a four-game road swing Wednesday and posted a 96-90 triumph the last time out against a tough Memphis team on Tuesday.

The Suns shot a sizzling 50.7 percent and were led by Marcin Gortat's 20 points and 17 from Goran Dragic. Jermaine O'Neal posted 14 points off the bench for the Suns, who had lost two straight and four of five games.

"I was struggling the first three quarters. I got two and-ones and got some momentum," Dragic said after scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Dragic has scored in double figures in a team-high 39-of-47 games this season.

Phoenix scored 20 points off 17 Memphis turnovers and had 52 points inside the paint. The Suns, who also had a 31-19 advantage in the fourth quarter, improved to 4-4 (.500) under interim coach Lindsey Hunter.

Suns rookie Kendall Marshall played a career-high 33 minutes, scoring a career-best 11 points with a career-high four assists. Michael Beasley had just six points, but is averaging 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds since Hunter replaced Alvin Gentry on the bench.

The Suns are only 5-20 away from the desert this season and will wrap up the journey Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Phoenix defeated New Orleans by a 111-108 score in overtime on Nov. 23 this season and has won the last four meetings between the teams.