12-14-2007, 09:22 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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New Orleans Hornets (14-8) @ Dallas Mavericks (14-9)
VS.
America Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
7:30pm CST
    
    
Preview
After snapping their skid against the Mavericks earlier this month, however, the Hornets think 2007-08 could finally be the season to turn things around.
New Orleans looks to protect its lead over Dallas when the division rivals square off at American Airlines Center on Friday night.
Realignment brought the Hornets to the Western Conference before the 2004-05 season, putting them in the newly formed Southwest Division with Dallas. The Mavericks won the teams' next 12 meetings, extending their win streak over the Hornets to 21 games dating to 1999, when the Hornets were based in Charlotte.
This season's Hornets (14-8), however, don't look like the division doormats they've been in recent years. They've managed to stay reasonably healthy and play consistently behind the lead of third-year point guard Chris Paul -- one of three opening-night starters who missed significant time last season due to injury.
This year's Mavericks (14-9), meanwhile, are equally hard to recognize. After winning a league-best 67 games last season, Dallas is in third place in its own division, trailing San Antonio and New Orleans.
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