Hornets scrape home against Bobcats; Win streak to 7
New Orleans 63, Phoenix 58
CHARLOTTE, NC, Dec 14, 2006 -- New Orleans kept their unbeaten streak for the 2006/07 season alive, just, against the Charlotte Bobcats today. In a game where the leading team was never ahead by more than 6 points the entire game, Chris Paul and rookie Hilton Armstrong hit clutch free throws in the dying seconds to seal the victory for the Hornets, their 7th for the season and are still unbeaten.
Chris Paul was once again the hornets best player, recording a double/double with 20pts and 10ast along with 3stls. Peja Stojakovic added 18pts and 8 boards for the winners.
Brevin Knight had 16pts, 9ast and 3stls for the Bobcats, while Emeka Okafor added 15pts and 7 rebs and Primoz Brezec had 10pts, 7rebs and 2 blks.
SAN ANTONIO, TX, Dec 17, 2006 -- The New Orleans unbeaten streak for 2006/07 has ended at 7 at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs today. The Hornets were thoroughly outplayed in absolutely every aspect of the game. During the game, Hornets coach, Byron Scott, was screaming at the Referees and the Scorer's Bench that "The Sliders Have Been Reset! The Spurs Have an Unfair Advantage"...Nobody knew exactly what he meant, and just assumed he had gone insane. Early foul trouble spelled doom for the hornets, playing without Mickael Pietrus, Desmond Mason and Bobby Jackson both got into foul trouble early, leaving just Chris Paul & Janerro Pargo in the backcourt for most of the game.
The Hornets 'best' players were Bobby Jackson with 13pts (most of which came in a dead final quarter), Andris Biedrins with 9pts, 5reb and 2blks. Chris Paul had 6pts, 8ast and 3stl and Tyson Chandler added 6 rebs and 3blks.
The Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili with 20pts, 4reb and 3ast, Brent Barry with 18pts and Tim Ducan with 8pts and 11rebs. Tony Parker also contributed 5pts and 7asts.
NEW ORLEANS, LA, Dec 17 2006 -- Suffering from a lack of depth in their backcourt, the New Orleans Hornets today announced the signing of rookie free-agent Mike Gansey from the University of West Virginia.
Gansey was signed to a 1-year deal @ $330,000. Gansey went undrafted in the 2006 draft after averaging 16.8ppg and 5.7rpg in his final year at UWV.
When asked about the signing, hornets G.M. Mat Smith told us not only will he help the depth of the club in the backcourt, but he will also help in the 3pt shooting department where Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson are the only players to have hit 3's this season
SACREMENTO, CA, Dec 19, 2006 -- Mike Gansey, signed just 2 days ago, today led the hornets to a 22 point victory over the Sacremento Kings. It was a 3 point parade, with Gansey hitting 5, as the Hornets were never troubled by the Kings.
Mike Gansey top scored for the Hornets with 19pts (inc. 5 3's) and 4 rebs. Bobby Jackson had 13pts (inc. 3 3's) 4reb, Peja Stojakovic 11pts and 4 reb. Chris Paul had yet another great all-around performance with 11pts, 5ast, 4reb and 2stls.
The Kings best were Kevin Martin with 10pts and 5reb, Brad Miller with 10pts and 11rebs and Mike Bibby added 9pts and 6ast.