Phoenix Suns At New Orleans Hornets - Game Preview

If you are looking for a team struggling even more than the Suns, then watch the New Orleans Hornets tonight. The Hornets are coming off a franchise-worst 2-16 record in January. The Suns' 6-10 January record looks positively gaudy by comparison, though they've only gone 3-9 in their past 12 games overall. These two teams have split the season series so far, both winning on the other's floor.

There are other similarities between the teams besides their bad records.

Neither team is particulary athletic. If we see two dunks in tonight's game, I will be surprised.

Both teams' front offices have a closer eye on the calendar and the upcoming NBA draft than their current rosters. Trade season is a month away (after the all-star game), and after that there's just 6 more weeks until the relief of summer break.

Both teams are disenchanted with their somewhat-talented backup centers. Chris Kaman is not playing while the Hornets openly search for a trade partner. Robin Lopez is only playing mopup minutes while the Suns stew over his attitude and lack of offensive progress.

And finally, both teams' owners tightened the purse strings before offering max guaranteed money to their most talented but too-often injured superstars (Chris Paul/Eric Gordon vs. Amare Stoudemire), further dumping them in the muck of the bottom of the Western Conference.

Go teams!

Game notes: Steve Nash WILL play tonight despite a sore quad, according to Paul Coro via twitter this morning. All Nash needs is 7 assists to eclipse Kevin Johnson for the all-time Suns franchise record in assists. It's really, really, really too bad he couldn't have set the record on his home floor Monday night against his "other" NBA employer and Mark Cuban in particular. But then, that's how this season has been going, isn't it? Sigh.

Suns vs Hornets coverage

Suns vs Hornets preview

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