http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1082710755229000.xml BEWARE Mashburn, Bass meet concerning 'private matter' Friday, April 23, 2004 By Benjamin Hochman Staff writer For the first time since publicly complaining about the way the team handled his injuries, Hornets forward Jamal Mashburn met Thursday with Bob Bass, the team's executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager. Bass declined to discuss the meeting, which took place at the Alario Center, calling it "a private matter." Mashburn could not be reached for comment. Hornets players, preparing for Saturday's Game 3 of their first-round matchup against the Miami Heat in a best-of-seven playoff series, reiterated that their focus is on the court. "Right now, just the way we feel, I don't think anybody's thinking about the offseason or whatever might happen," forward P.J. Brown said. "I'm sure when it's all said and done, everything and everybody is going to be evaluated from top to bottom. That's going to happen in a couple of months. Right now, we just need to win Saturday's game. And that's the most important thing." WEST BANGED UP: Hornets reserve forward David West strained his groin during Wednesday's Game 2 against the Heat when he slipped on a wet spot on the court in Miami. "We weren't able to get him back in the game, and today at practice he was limited," Coach Tim Floyd said. "He wasn't supposed to (practice), but he wanted to be a part of it and got out there and hopped around." In Game 1 in Miami, West scored eight points in 20 minutes, and in Game 2 he scored five points in 13 minutes before the injury. Will he play Saturday? "I sure hope so," Floyd said. Hornets All-Star guard Baron Davis and reserve guard Darrell Armstrong, both battling ankle injuries, participated in Thursday's practice. "Baron bounced around pretty good today; he'll be ready to go," Floyd said. "And we're not making any excuses about his ankle. We've got to play. . . . (Darrell) was certainly better in the last ball game than he was in the first." NUMBERS GAME: In the series, the Hornets have been outscored 36-10 in fast-break points and 70-50 in the lane. . . . In 82 regular-season games, New Orleans had 1,716 assists and 1,228 turnovers. In the two playoff games, New Orleans had 30 assists and 40 turnovers. . . . Davis has attempted 29 shots this postseason, 14 from 3-point range. He has made four 3-pointers. . . . The Hornets' Jamaal Magloire scored nine points in Game 2, the first time he failed to reach double-figures in a game since March 16 -- at Miami. CALL TO ACTION: Hornets guard David Wesley has noticed the Heat's raucous fan support. "I hope (our) fans realize this is the way playoff basketball goes, and I hope they come out and are as loud as Miami fans were," he said. "All the support in the world, we need it. Jump in, get loud and rowdy. Heck, have a few drinks. Come in ready to play. I'm sure I won't disappoint anybody by saying that." THEY SAID IT: Said Heat guard Rafer Alston about New Orleans' shooting Wednesday: "I was very surprised. I was shooting during the halftime warm-ups, and I looked up and it said they were shooting 20-something percent. I thought it was a misprint. That can't be true. But it was true." . . . . . . . Benjamin Hochman can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. Hornets' fans beware. Saturday's Game 3 ticket between New Orleans and the Heat is indicated with Round 1, Home Game 1. [1046719] --

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