http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-hornetnot19apr19,0,6660930.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat Injuries leaving Hornets short at point By Steve Gorten Staff Writer Posted April 19 2004 MIAMI -- New Orleans point guard Baron Davis injured his left ankle in the first quarter when he stepped on Heat center Brian Grant's foot. Limping noticeably, he went into the Hornets' locker room, where he received medical attention and returned. He aggravated the injury in the second quarter and said at halftime he would get his ankle re-taped. The Hornets now have two hurt point guards. During Saturday's practice, backup Darrell Armstrong re-injured his right ankle and had to be carried off the court. Armstrong missed the final three regular-season games because of the initial injury. "It's just frustrating because I busted my butt to really get the swelling down the last three games of the season," said Armstrong, whose ankle was swollen before Sunday's game. "And then, one day in 30 minutes, I do it again." Armstrong played nine minutes in the first half. The Hornets' other option, Shammond Williams, entered the playoffs playing his best basketball of the season. He had 28 assists in the final three games after just 24 through the first 13 games. P.J. returns Former Heat forward P.J. Brown is playing against his former team in the playoffs for the second time in four years. "I'm back again," Brown said. "I don't think it's coincidence. "It seems like it works out that way." Brown started well with six points and five rebounds in the first quarter but picked up his fourth foul less than a minute into the second half. ... The Hornets knew they'd have to stop the Heat in transition to be successful in this series. They didn't -- the Heat scored 18 fast-break points and the Hornets scored zero. ... Armstrong was one of the free agents the Heat looked at during the offseason to be its backup point guard, but signed Rafer Alston instead. Smith sees action Former Heat guard Steve Smith, relegated to a limited reserve role with the Hornets this season, saw his only action Sunday with 1.3 seconds left, when his inbounds pass was deflected and the Hornets didn't get a shot at a tie or win.... The Hornets have seven players with at least nine years of playoff experience, the most veteran roster in the league. Staying put The Heat will return home between Games 3 and 4 at New Orleans on Saturday and April 24, but the Hornets will stay in Miami until Wednesday's Game 2. Alston has called South Beach the team's sixth man because the nightlife it offers serves as a distraction for opposing players, but Hornets coach Tim Floyd said he isn't concerned. "We decided we'll be better off staying here," Floyd said. Mashburn sighting Forward Jamal Mashburn, who was left off the Hornets' playoff roster, traveled with the team to Miami. Dressed in a suit, he watched the game from the bench. Steve Gorten can be reached at [email protected]. Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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