原文出自 nola.com http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1098704761316680.xml Hornets stumble again on defense New Orleans can't hold off Clippers, loses third in row Monday, October 25, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer LOS ANGELES -- The Hornets have looked the most vulnerable in the fourth quarter in the preseason. They have been slow to challenge shooters and stop passes from entering the middle of the lane. Those deficiencies caused the Hornets to lose sizable second-half leads in consecutive losses to the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings. On Sunday night, the Hornets didn't wait until the fourth quarter to begin having defensive problems. They started in the second quarter and remained until New Orleans left the Staples Center with a 97-93 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets lost their third consecutive game. In Saturday's 92-87 loss at Sacramento, the Hornets were outscored 26-15 in the fourth quarter. In last week's loss to Orlando in Biloxi, Miss., the Hornets blew an 11-point lead. On Sunday, the Hornets allowed forward Bobby Simmons to seal the Clippers' victory when he made a baseline jumper and a driving shot in the final 37.5 seconds after New Orleans had closed to 93-91. It was the second time in eight days that the Hornets played the Clippers. The Hornets won the first meeting 105-95 in Lafayette. Starting point guard Baron Davis missed his second consecutive game because of a strained left ankle. Junior Harrington, who is trying to earn a roster spot, started in place of Davis and scored 14 points in 29 minutes. Meanwhile, backup point guard Alex Garcia didn't make the offensive impact that Coach Byron Scott was seeking. Garcia made two of 11 shots and scored nine points. Starting center Jamaal Magloire made six of seven shots to score a team-high 21 points. Backup guard Darrell Armstrong came off the bench and gave the Hornets a lift with 13 points. Armstrong had made three of 16 from the field in the past two games. The Hornets started strong defensively but could not keep it going. They were slow to rotate and help one another to stop baseline drives. The Clippers got the majority of shots they wanted, especially in the post. Los Angeles led 45-44 at halftime. The teams combined to take 108 free throws. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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