http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1083413042244710.xml Lynch doesn't deliver this time Hornets forward unable to score like he did in Game 4 Saturday, May 01, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer MIAMI -- In Game 4, Hornets forward George Lynch rarely missed. He made five of six shots to give the Hornets a much-needed offensive boost. The Hornets needed that same boost Friday night in front of a sellout crowd of 20,147 at AmericanAirlines Arena with a chance to take a 3-2 series lead. But Lynch couldn't deliver like he did at New Orleans Arena. He missed his first eight shots before hitting a 15-foot jumper with 2:54 remaining in the game. He finished with five points in the Hornets' 87-83 loss. Defensively, he was more efficient. He held Heat guard Caron Butler to five points on 1-of-6 shooting. HE DENIES IT: Co-owner Ray Wooldridge refuted a TV report aired Thursday night in New Orleans saying that he wanted to fire Coach Tim Floyd earlier this season. Wooldridge said before Friday's game that Floyd will be evaluated when the season ends. Last week, majority owner George Shinn said the entire basketball operations staff will be evaluated at season's end. Wooldridge and Shinn attended Friday's game. CARRYING THE LOAD: The Hornets lost a nine-point lead in the second quarter, but point guard Baron Davis helped them regain it on the way to taking a 46-42 halftime lead. Davis made all five shots in the quarter, including two 3-pointers, for 12 points. Davis scored nine of the Hornets' final 13 points in the quarter and led all scorers at the half with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He finished with a game-high 33 points. NOT SOON ENOUGH: The Hornets didn't have their second double-figure scorer until 6:01 remained in the third quarter. Forward P.J. Brown scored his 10th point after hitting two free throws. DISMAL THIRD: The Hornets were held to 17 points in the third quarter. They have scored more than 17 points in the period only once in the series. It came in Game 4 when they scored 18. OUTTA HERE: Heat backup guard Rafer Alston was ejected with 22.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter when he intentionally hit Hornets shooting guard David Wesley in the groin. TECHNICALS: Tempers flared over tough fouls and no calls between both teams throughout the game, and Floyd, Jamaal Magloire, Davis and Lynch all received technicals. NO DECISION YET: Commissioner David Stern attended Game 5, but he gave no new details regarding New Orleans' bid in trying to land the 2008 All-Star Game. "I would say we are relatively close to naming 2006 (host city), but we're not close to naming 2007, 2008 or 2009," he said. FAST START: The Hornets' 24 points in the first quarter were the most they have scored in the opening quarter in the series. They overcame a horrible start, missing their first five shots before making four of their next nine. The Hornets defended better than they shot. The Heat was held to 6-of-22 shooting, and guard Eddie Jones missed seven of his first eight shots. Butler missed all three shots and guard Dwyane Wade made two of three for four points, but he played only five minutes after getting his second foul six minutes into the game. The Heat missed 13 of its first 16 shots. MUCH BETTER: The Hornets out-rebounded the Heat 48-35. Brown led the Hornets with 13 and Magloire had 10. The Hornets had 20 offensive rebounds to the Heat's seven. FAN FAVORITE: During timeout breaks, the Heat's Jumbotron screen showed celebrities watching the game. Former New Orleans Saints running back Ricky Williams received one of the loudest cheers when he was shown. UP NEXT: Game 6 is at noon Sunday at New Orleans Arena. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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