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Hornets aim for impressive win against surging Magic

Dec 25, 2008 - 11:17 AM New Orleans (16-8) at Orlando (22-6) 12:00 p.m. EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- If their last game is any indication, the New Orleans Hornets still have a long way to go to enter the NBA's elite.

The Hornets get another chance to prove their one of the top teams in the league on Thursday when they visit the red-hot Orlando Magic.

New Orleans surged into second place in the Western Conference with a four-game win streak and seven victories in eight games to start December.

However, that run came to end on Tuesday when the Hornets endured a 100-87 loss to the first-place Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers made quick work of the Hornets, bursting to a 19-point halftime lead and hitting cruise control until late in the fourth quarter.

Chris Paul had five steals in the first 24 minutes and finished with 17 points, 10 assists and six steals.

Paul and New Orleans are hoping to bounce back against the Magic, who have won five straight games, nine of 11 this month and own third place in the Eastern Conference.

Jameer Nelson scored 22 points and shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the field - including four 3-pointers - en route to a 113-81 rout against the Golden State Warriors on Monday.

It was another stellar performance for Nelson, who was recently named the conference's player of the week.