New Orleans Hornets take another win

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Jan. 29, 2004
NEW ORLEANS The Milwaukee Bucks were 0-13 in games in which they trailed heading into the fourth quarter.
But given the way guard Michael Redd was blistering the New Orleans Hornet defense you had to figure that Wednesday's night's tilt would come right down to the wire.
The Hornets did in fact lead going into the final frame, but it took a dramatic effort from Jamal Mashburn, playing in his first game of the season, to help the Hornets to rescue a 101-100 victory.
"It was just a great feeling to be back out there with them helping them again," Mashburn said.
In his first appearance in uniform since Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs last season, Mashburn showed everyone in the building why he is an All-Star, by scoring 13 of his team-high 24 points in the final five minutes. It was also the final 13 Hornet points of the game for the third straight victory.
"He was unstoppable at the end, so I just kept calling his number," said Baron Davis, who marked the return after a three-game absence (ankle sprain) with 23 points of his own. "This was a great team win. I'm glad he's back."
Redd scored his 40th point on a drive with 22.2 ticks left to give the Bucks (25-20) a 100-99 advantage. But Mashburn sank his textbook silky turnaround fall away with 12 ticks left to give New Orleans back the lead in easily the tightest home contest of the season.
"That's my shot," Mashburn said. "It felt good toward the end and it continued to fall."
Toni Kukoc's game-winning attempt at the horn rimmed off, setting off an eruption by the 14,007 fans standing in attendance.
Redd scored 24 of his 40 in the first half to give the Bucks a 58-53 lead at the break, but Tim Floyd inserted Mashburn into the starting lineup to begin the third and New Orleans (26-19) reeled off a 12-2 run to gain the upper hand.
"Mashburn looks like a heckuva candidate for Sixth Man of the Year," joked Floyd, referring to the fact that Mashburn did not start. "I thought he played very unselfish early. His presence got us a lot of good looks."
Mashburn's heroics not only sent the crowd into a frenzy, it also amazed his new coach, getting his initial first-hand look of what the forward is capable of. "I really was (surprised). I hadn't ever seen anything quite like that. It's one thing to work out on your own, but game-like conditions are entirely different."
Jamaal Magloire feasted in the middle for 16 points and 11 rebounds, as five Hornets scored in double figures. Desmond Mason chipped in 14 for the Bucks, who swapped the lead 21 times and pulled even 11 more. Eight lead changes occurred in the final quarter.
"Mashburn helped them out tonight. He was in a zone," said Redd.
The Hornets go to Philadelphia Friday night before hosting Miami on Saturday.