http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1083235857269630.xml Game 6 tipoff time up in the air Thursday, April 29, 2004 By Jimmy Smith Staff writer The Hornets don't expect the NBA to establish a tipoff time for Sunday's Game 6 against the Miami Heat at New Orleans Arena until possibly today. Because everything is dictated by television, the networks with the broadcast rights Sunday -- ABC, ESPN and TNT -- are awaiting the outcome of games in other series before determining a start time for the Hornets and Heat. There are three telecast windows: midday, mid-afternoon and early evening, and the possibility of two games other than New Orleans-Miami. The Western Conference first-round series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets could be stretched to a Game 6, as could the Sacramento Kings-Dallas Mavericks series. The Timberwolves and Kings, however, both lead those series 3-1, with games scheduled tonight (Kings-Mavericks) and Friday night (Timberwolves-Nuggets). That leaves open the possibility that Game 6 for the Hornets-Heat could be the only one played Sunday. Any combination of one, two or three games would affect the time slot. HALFTIME SET: While game time still is up in the air for the Hornets, the halftime entertainment is not. Singer William Hung, who appeared on the television show "American Idol," will perform during the break. OFF AND NOT: The Heat received a surprise upon returning home in the wee hours Wednesday morning: Stan Van Gundy gave the team the day off. No such luck for Hornets' players, though the routine was less than taxing. The Hornets hung around the Alario Center practice floor for about an hour after watching a little film. "We had a walk-through just because there were some things we wanted to clear up," Hornets coach Tim Floyd said. "They're doing a little shooting and trying to use the day to get our legs underneath us, given that Game 6 and Game 7 will come with one day in between. "We'll have games coming pretty quick. We'll use this as an opportunity to regroup a little bit before those last two games." If the series extends to seven games (Game 7 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Miami), it will have lasted 17 days. But that has allowed some Hornets players who were "dinged up" a chance to recover, Floyd said. "I think it's been beneficial for us," he said. STILL BAD: Not once in four games have the Hornets scored more than 18 points in the third quarter against the Heat. "We've got to be ready to go in that third quarter Friday night," Hornets rookie David West said Wednesday. In succession in the series, the Hornets have scored 15, 10, 16 and 18 points in the third quarter. BAD RAP: New Orleans basketball fans are being ridiculed for their indifference in the Miami news media, but Floyd defended the locals. "We're a new basketball town and a growing basketball town," Floyd said. "I would never, ever criticize those people that were there, because they were loud (Tuesday) night and were into it. They saw great basketball. They're appreciating playoff basketball. The crowd grew from Saturday, and it will grow more when we get back." . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814. --

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