http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-hornets24apr24,0,2019316.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat Players say third quarter is key By Ira Winderman Staff Writer Posted April 24 2004 NEW ORLEANS ?The challenge for the Hornets begins shortly after 1 p.m. eastern today, with the opening tip at New Orleans Arena. But judging by comments Friday at the Hornets' practice facility, the real challenge will begin about an hour later, with the start of the third quarter. Down 2-0 in the best-of-7 opening-round series, the Hornets are pointing to the third quarters of the opening two games at AmericanAirlines Arena as the catalyst for their misery. "We haven't opened up the third making shots, being aggressive, pushing the tempo," guard Baron Davis told reporters at the Alario Center in Westwego, La. "We've kind of started off a little sluggish as far as trying to set up offense every time down the floor." In the Heat's 81-79 Game 1 victory, it went from a 44-41 halftime deficit to a 66-59 lead going into the final period. In its 93-63 Game 2 victory, the Heat put the game away with a 13-2 run to open the second half. "We've been better in some of the other areas than we have been at the start of the third quarter," coach Tim Floyd said after just over an hour on the court with his team Friday. "I look back at the start of the third quarter in the last ballgame and I think we had the seven best looks that we had in this series and did not get one of the shots down. "Guys are going to miss shots and you can't fight that end of it, but it was probably the best seven looks we had in the entire series." Heads to roll? The Hornets enter Game 3 with guards David Wesley, Darrell Armstrong and Davis, forward David West and center Jamaal Magloire battling nagging injuries. Magloire is fighting tendinitis in his right heel, West a sore groin, Wesley an ailing toe and Armstrong and Davis troublesome ankles. In addition, there is uncertainty in the organization about the futures of Floyd, General Manager Bob Bass and forward Jamal Mashburn, who is not on the playoff roster. In Friday's Times-Picayune, columnist John DeShazier opined of Floyd, "No one can ignore what he or she has seen in the playoffs, or say that it's not in the best interest of the franchise to sever the relationship as soon as possible." Wesley said it has been that type of year. "It's been one of the most frustrating seasons that I've had to deal with, all the injuries and up-and-down play," he said. "Our rhythm hasn't been on. "Even though we finished at 41-41 and finished fifth in the East, it feels a lot worse." Familiar surroundings The Hornets are hoping their vigorous practices Thursday and Friday will be followed by a jolt today from the crowd at New Orleans Arena. "I think we'll have that energy and the crowd behind us to really push us through," Davis said. "We have to get off to a good start and get some buckets and get them to turn the ball over. I think the more we get out and fast break, the better we are." Said Armstrong, "People are starting to get our fishing hats ready and we don't want fishing hats yet. I know a lot of people look at it, and we're down, but we're back home." Floyd cautioned it will take more than just home-court advantage. No NBA team has recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-7 series. "This is a pivotal game in the series, and certainly playing at home your odds are better than you are on the road," he said. "I think Miami would agree with that. That's not going to diminish the intensity level that they're going to bring, recognizing that this gives them a chance to have the series in control." Ira Winderman can be reached at [email protected]. Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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