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Hornets hope to bounce back vs. lowly Kings

Feb 23, 2009 - 2:49 PM New Orleans (32-22) at Sacramento (12-45) 10:00 p.m. EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- The New Orleans Hornets have done more losing than winning lately, but a reappearance of their temporarily traded center could help reverse that trend.

The Hornets hope to have Tyson Chandler back in the lineup when they visit the lowly Sacramento Kings on Monday.

Chandler was nearly dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder last week at the trade deadline but failed a physical, leaving him injured on New Orleans' bench.

The Hornets' players are happy to have their defensive anchor still with the franchise, especially with the way they have been playing of late.

Chandler has been out since January 19 with an ankle injury, and New Orleans has gone 7-9 since, including dropping eight of its last 12.

Hilton Armstrong, who has started in place of Chandler lately, is averaging just 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds this season. He had four points in just over 14 minutes on Saturday as the Hornets fell at Utah, 102-88.

But the Kings should be a welcome sight for any struggling team.

Owners of the worst record in the Western Conference, Sacramento has lost 15 of it last 17 games, including a 116-95 setback at Dallas on Saturday.

The Kings traded away swingman John Salmons and Brad Miller, their second- and third-leading scorers, at the deadline and brought back former Chicago forward Andres Nocioni among four players.