http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/ base/sports-1/1082885796107450.xml N.O. can't duplicate Miami crowds Heat sells out 1st 2 games; Hornets short Sunday, April 25, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Earlier this week, there wasn't an empty seat at AmericanAirlines Arena for the opening two playoff games between the Miami Heat and Hornets. The Hornets' management hoped for a similar crowd when the series resumed in New Orleans. But unlike the Heat, the Hornets had several thousand empty seats. The announced crowd was 14,251 in the 17,200-seat New Orleans Arena. "That was real disappointing, especially seeing their fans and how they supported their team," Hornets forward George Lynch said. "I know we didn't play well in the regular season, but the fans have to be appreciative when you have a playoff team in your city. You have to come out and give support, because that helps you win games." Fans throughout the region had a choice of a number of activities to attend Saturday. It was the second day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds, and the NFL draft, which featured native son Eli Manning as the No. 1 player selected, was going on. And, in Baton Rouge, a city the Hornets target as a regional base, the national champion LSU Tigers' football team had its spring game. "The guys were talking about it a little bit, but you can't control that," forward P.J. Brown said. "This is a tough time of the year for our fans right now. There was a lot of stuff going on." Game 4 is Tuesday night at the Arena. TOUGH SERIES: Backup guard Darrell Armstrong is trying to contribute as a defender and assist provider to make up for his lack of scoring. Armstrong missed all six of his shots and went scoreless Saturday. After three games in the series, Armstrong has shot 1-of-15 and is averaging 1.3 points. He's 1-of-10 from 3-point range, which includes going 0-of-4 on Saturday. "A lot of people look at point guards, where they just run the show and take a shot, but my job is to get guys the ball," said Armstrong, who had three assists. "I know Baron Davis, David Wesley and P.J. Brown can score." HONORED: Brown was presented the Joe Dumars Trophy before the game for earning the NBA's Sportsmanship Award. "I'm very humbled to receive an honor like that, especially with so many deserving guys," Brown said. "I just try to go out there and carry myself in the right way. It's hard -- there are a lot of eyes watching. There are a lot of kids, so you have to watch every move you make." GOOD DEFENSE: During the eight quarters in the opening two games, the Hornets had held the Heat to less than 20 points in a quarter twice. On Saturday, the Heat scored 14 points in the first quarter and 15 in the second. Starters Brian Grant, Dwyane Wade and Eddie Jones combined to shoot 3-of-17. Wade, who shredded the Hornets for a team-leading 17.5 average after the first two games, was held to two points in the first quarter on 1-of-5 shooting. After scoring on a dunk with 7:17 remaining in the first quarter, he went scoreless for the remainder of the half. Odom missed six of eight shots in the first half and didn't make his first field goal in the second quarter until 1:13 remained. Jones didn't make his first shot until 7:14 remained in the second quarter. LESS THAN 20: In 85 of 328 quarters in the regular season, the Hornets scored 19 points or less. In their past 13 quarters, they have been held to less than that margin four times. The Hornets were held to 16 points in the third quarter Saturday. In Game 2 in Miami, the 10 points they scored in the third quarter tied a franchise low in the playoffs. In Game 1, they were held to 15 points in the third quarter. RECORD SETTING: The Hornets set franchise records for the playoffs by holding the Heat to 29 points in the first half and 71 for the game. TOUGH GAME: Forward George Lynch was cut under his chin after Wade collided with him for an offensive foul in the third quarter. . . . Heat forward Lamar Odom required six stitches above his left eye after catching an inadvertent elbow from Davis. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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