After a decisive victory Saturday night, the Hornets will meet with a Spurs team playing with a vengeance. Here’s what to look out for tonight.
· Tim Duncan hustling more than Rick Ross. After a pathetic 5 points and 3 boards compiled in the first game, the forward will be playing focused, tough basketball. Tyson Chandler did a great job of shutting him down, but if he gets into foul trouble (which San Antonio will be gunning for), watch for Hilton Armstrong to come in and do his best.
· Mo Pete stepping it up as a productive offensive weapon. After West and Stojakovic lit it up Saturday (combining for 52 of the Hornets’ 101), the Spurs will do whatever they can to silence them. Peterson needs to do work, as he’s quite capable of hitting the outside shot and penetrating San Ant’s defense.
· Bruce Bowen laying the smack down. After a physical first round across the NBA, tempers are still high. Frustrated with their first game performance, watch out for the Spurs, and their “Bad Boy” Bruce, resorting to cheap thug tactics later in the game.
The Spurs will take the early lead, hammering the Hornets in the first quarter, but New Orleans will recover and finish the game determinedly, 97-89.
