http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108279729783980.xml Wesley struggles to put best foot forward Hornets guard has been slowed by toe injuries on both feet Saturday, April 24, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Hornets shooting guard David Wesley can't recall any season more frustrating than this one. His shooting has been inconsistent, and he's unable to shake injuries. In today's crucial Game 3 against the Miami Heat at New Orleans Arena, Wesley will be playing with a sore right big toe. His left big toe has not completely healed from a sprain that forced him to miss 20 games during the regular season. "My right toe is not as bad as my left," Wesley said after Friday's practice. "Before the playoffs started I kicked the back of somebody's foot. Now I find myself limping, but I don't know which foot to limp on. I know one thing, my toes have made me forget about all of the other ailments I've had." But Wesley's shooting is another problem. On Wednesday night against the Heat in Miami, he made his first two shots before missing his next seven to finish with eight points. The Hornets missed 62 shots, and their 63-point total in their 30-point loss tied the NBA record for second-lowest in playoff history. "It was a poorly played offensive game, and it really surprised me to look at the stat sheet and see only one player (Baron Davis with 13 points) in double figures," Wesley said. "I can't remember ever being a part of that, when everybody was just awful. But this series is not over by a long way." Yet, Wesley has to do a better job defending Heat guard Eddie Jones than he did in Game 2. Jones scored a game-high 19 points and was able to shoot perimeter shots over Wesley. READY FOR CHALLENGE: Hornets backup guard Darrell Armstrong was spirited at Friday's practice, but he said the pressure is now on the Hornets in Games 3 and 4. "They come to our place, and we have to try and get the first one and then the second," Armstrong said. "The Heat did what they were supposed to do, they held their homecourt advantage. Now, we have to win." Armstrong believes the Hornets' edge in experience can be factor for the remainder of the series. But it hasn't been in the first two games because the Heat has been more athletic, much better shooters and tougher defenders. "When you have people injured, every game is tough," Armstrong said. "But I really felt this team was going to make a run, and we did until the injuries hit. Because of the injuries, we have guys playing too many minutes, and that can wear you down." STILL SORE: Hornets starting center Jamaal Magloire soaked his right foot in a bucket of ice during Friday's practice. He is still expected to start today. Earlier this week Magloire said his Achilles' tendon was sore. After finishing with nine points in Game 2, it was the first time since March 16 against the Heat that Magloire failed to score in double figures. FAST-BREAK BLUES: The Hornets have been unable to slow the Heat on the fast break. The Heat finished with an 18-10 edge in Game 2 and it outscored the Hornets 18-0 in Game 1. "At times we have the advantage because we can get the ball off the rim and push it upcourt," Heat forward Caron Butler said. "We are fortunate to have players with versatility, so we should use it to our advantage. We are young and athletic. We love it and it has worked well for us." A CLOSER LOOK: The Hornets have 30 assists and 40 turnovers after the opening two games. Backups Robert Traylor and David West have been the Hornets' most accurate shooters from the field, combining to make 8-of-13 shots for 61.5 percent. But the rest of the team has combined to shoot 41 of 141 for 29.1 percent. . . . The Hornets are 4-14 when Wesley fails to score in double figures. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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