New Orleans (15-10) at Seattle (7-18)

Tipoff: 7 p.m., KeyArena.

TV: FSN. Radio: 770-AM

Series: The Hornets won at New Orleans, 91-88, on Dec. 9.

Scouting the Hornets: Smooth-shooting forward Peja Stojakovic will remain on the sidelines for New Orleans tonight. Stojakovic missed the two games with a groin injury – one of those missed games was the victory over Seattle.

Stojakovic was injured in an overtime win over Memphis on Dec. 7. He returned Friday at Dallas and scored 10 points but aggravated the groin injury. Stojakovic is averaging 14.1 points. Morris Peterson will start in place of Stojakovic.

Point guard Chris Paul has been the focal point of the Hornets, both offensively and defensively. Paul comes into tonight’s contest averaging 21.9 points and 9.6 assists game. Paul pretty much carried the Hornets in their win over Seattle 10 days ago, finishing with 29 points and 10 assists.

David West and Tyson Chandler are the main guys inside for the Hornets. Heading into tonight’s game against Seattle, West is averaging 18 points and 9.3 rebounds a contest, while Chandler averages 11.6 points and 11.6 rebounds a game.

Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said it will be important to keep Paul from getting to the basket with regularity, and also to keep West and Chandler from dominating the boards.
Listen to Carlesimo talk about the matchup here during his pregame conversation.

New Orleans comes in with a three-game losing streak on the road. Since winning eight of their first 10 road games, the Hornets have lost three in a row on the road, including an 88-76 setback at Portland on Monday.

Scouting the Sonics: Carlesimo said center Kurt Thomas, who sat out Tuesday’s practice with a right sprained ankle, still is a game-time decision. Delonte West (plantar fasciitis) and Robert Swift (right knee tendonitis) will remain on the inactive list.

Kevin Durant should have a favorable matchup tonight, with either Morris Peterson or Rasual Butler matching up with him defensively. Durant finished with 23 points against the Hornets in New Orleans.

Having Thomas available obviously would improve Seattle’s chances as well. Thomas cut his lip trying steal the ball from Jannero Pargo late in the game against New Orleans, and could have helped the Sonics close out the victory.

If available Thomas could help solidify Seattle’s defensive interior.

Chris Wilcox also is due for a big game after scoring only eight points and finishing with seven rebounds against Utah on Saturday. In the first game against New Orleans Wilcox finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Next: Friday vs Toronto, 7:30 p.m., KeyArena.