Hornets get needed victory

By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Feb. 12, 2004
NEW ORLEANS All things considered, Wednesday night's game against the visiting New York Knicks was the most important of the season for the beleaguered New Orleans Hornets.
Coming off a weekend loss that spurned a shouting match between Hornets coach Tim Floyd and guard Darrell Armstrong, the team seemed to be an internal train wreck, careening out of control toward the break, having dropped five of the past six.
But New Orleans' trio of All-Stars made sure their team went into the All-Star break on a high note via a 106-98 win over the Knicks.
Davis torched New York for 29 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals while Jamal Mashburn found his shooting touch, tossing in 19. Center Jamaal Magloire dropped in 13 and 11 boards.
Despite a spirited effort from Stephon Marbury, who tallied 29 points and 10 assists, the Knicks blew the lead they owned at halftime. The Hornets, who have played poorly in the third quarter during their slumps, put together their best third frame of the year with a 20-2 explosion. P.J. Brown scored eight of his 12 during the stretch. The team threw down a pair of dunks and a trio of 3-pointers during the nearly six-minute stretch that delighted the 12,000 on hand.
As a team, New Orleans outscored the Knicks 20-12 in fast break points and collected 12 steals and made only 14 turnovers. It marked the Hornets first double-figure theft game since Jan. 10.
Penny Hardaway helped keep New York in the game with 19 points, and Keith Van Horn added 14. Former Jackson Murrah star Othella Harrington had nine points and seven boards.
The Hornets do not play again until Tuesday night when they head to Indiana. Washington visits New Orleans Arena the following evening.