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Hornets look to right ship vs. Sonics

Dec 19, 2007 - 2:23 PM New Orleans (15-10) at Seattle (7-18) 10:00 pm EST

SEATTLE (Ticker) - After a horrible performance Saturday that capped a five-game road trek, the Seattle SuperSonics hope a few days off and a return to the Key Arena will be just what the doctor ordered.

The struggling Sonics on Wednesday host the New Orleans Hornets, who have lost three of their last four games and three straight on the road.

Seattle will be looking to shake off an ugly performance against the Utah Jazz, where they shot just 33 percent from the floor in a 96-75 defeat to complete a 2-3 road trip. Rookie sensation Kevin Durant shot just 3-of-11 and tied a season low with six points. He has made just 7-of-28 attempts over his last two games.

Durant scored 23 points but shot just 7-of-22 in the first matchup between the clubs, a 91-88 New Orleans win on December 9.

If the Hornets want to succeed against Seattle, they likely will need another strong effort from star point guard, Chris Paul, who had 29 points and 10 assists in the first encounter.

Paul was held to 11 points on 5-of-15 shooting in Monday's 88-76 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Both teams hope to get injured players back. Kurt Thomas, Seattle's leading rebounder (9.3), missed the Utah game with a sprained ankle. New Orleans sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic has missed the last two games with a groin injury.