By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
March 18, 2004
NEW ORLEANS – Whether or not Irish eyes were smiling on the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday night was unclear.
But in the second half, they were able to put behind them injured teammates, recent losses, a trend of poor play and the inability to solve their opponent, the Philadelphia 76ers.
The latter came in resounding fashion as the Hornets destroyed the Sixers 104-80 amidst the wild St. Patrick's festivities of 15,049 in New Orleans Arena.
"In a key stretch of the third quarter, we were really fighting it offensively," Hornets coach Tim Floyd said. "But the big guys across the board gave us the lift we needed. This was a real positive, positive game, one that we really needed. In this stretch of home games, we really need to win with seven of our last nine on the road.
Playing without starting forwards P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn, it was up to the bench to produce some notable numbers and they did not disappoint, churning out 43, led by Robert "Tractor" Traylor's 18 and 10 rebounds. Baron Davis and Iverson each pumped in 20, but Davis got one more assist (8) than his counterpart.
"It has a lot to do with me not being on the court a lot lately," a somber Iverson said of his team's lack of rhythm. "I think definitely (playoffs are) slipping away from us. We've got to do something if we're going to have a chance. If you are not mathematically out of it, you've got to feel like you have a shot."
Jamaal Magloire added 19 and 10 boards. Rookie David West had his best night as a Hornet with 15 and 9 and David Wesley chipped in 13. Aaron McKie scored 15 for the Sixers (28-41), who were crushed on the boards, 45-30 and 35-14 in second chance points.
"I think as a whole we were determined to get this game, especially after the disappointing effort (Tuesday) night," Traylor said, alluding too the successful defense by committee on Iverson, who made just 8-of-23 shots.
Philly opened up a seven-point lead in the third, as New Orleans (36-32) was seemingly beginning to crumble. They started the frame a dismal 1-of-12 from the field, but finished the quarter with a furious 16-2 run that was capped at the horn with a Davis three ball.
"We allowed those guys to get back into it," McKie said. "They made the shots and the hustle plays and it turned into an uphill battle for us."
The Sixers trimmed a 14-point deficit to nine on an Iverson jumper with 6:30 left, but the Hornets cranked up the intensity with their second 16-3 explosion of the evening, that was highlighted by a hook from Traylor, a 15-foot turnaround from Davis and a hammer dunk from Magloire.
New Orleans stays at home for a Friday night game with Seattle.