http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-hornets23apr23,0,1560562.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat By Ira Winderman Staff Writer Posted April 23 2004 If Wednesday's score wasn't humiliating enough, Thursday's video delivered another round of shame to the New Orleans Hornets. "It's just tough on everybody," power forward P.J. Brown said. "You look at film today, and it's even worse." The Hornets hope to turn the humiliation of their 93-63 Game 2 loss to the Heat into a source for inspiration, in a bid to battle back from a 2-0 deficit in this best-of-7 opening-round playoff series. "Maybe a little embarrassment will help us to come back and play just a little bit better," guard David Wesley said. That proved to be the theme at the Hornets' practice facility in Westwego, La. "These guys are professional athletes, and you respond to that embarrassment if you've got an ounce of pride in you," coach Tim Floyd said. "We've got to put them in a situation where the pressure reverts back on [the Heat]." The Hornets practiced for nearly an hour Thursday and also held a film session. They say their approach for Saturday's Game 3 at New Orleans Arena will be one of urgency, but also of composure. "All of us have been in the playoffs, all of us realize what we're up against," Wesley said. "We don't need a whole lot of rah-rah. Everybody's frustrated that we're in this situation." To win the series, the Hornets would have to win four of five, the type of sustained success they have not achieved since December. "You go down 3-0, that means we've got to sweep the four games to win the series," Wesley said of the type of comeback never achieved in the NBA playoffs. "We definitely must win this one." "It's a one-game season," Brown said. "That's all." MASH MEETING General Manager Bob Bass met Thursday with disgruntled forward Jamal Mashburn. Mashburn, already not on the playoff roster because of knee pain, was ordered Tuesday to stay away from the team after questioning the team's medical treatment. Bass declined comment on the former Heat forward, saying it was a "private matter." With their season teetering, the Hornets also have had to deal with questions about the futures with the team of Mashburn, Bass and Floyd. "Right now, just the way we feel, I don't think anybody's thinking about the offseason or whatever might happen," 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." CALL TO ARMS Having been exposed to more than 20,000 Heat supporters in each of the series' first two games, Wesley said he hoped the Hornets could create a similar atmosphere in their 17,200-seat arena. "I hope the 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." ... Guard Baron Davis, limited by a balky left ankle, practiced Thursday. "He 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." ... Rookie forward David West strained his groin when he slipped on a wet spot in Game 2 and was limited in practice. Ira Winderman can be reached at [email protected]. Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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