Seattle (9-28) at New Orleans (25-12)

When: 5 p.m., New Orleans Arena.

TV: FSN. Radio: 770-AM.

Series: New Orleans will go for the season sweep over Seattle today. The Hornets have won both contests this season, a 91-88 win over the Seattle in New Orleans Dec. 9, and a 107-93 win over the Sonics in Seattle on Dec. 19. However, Seattle still owns the overall series, 26-19.

Scouting the Hornets: The Sonics will have to figure out how to slow down New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. A one-man wrecking crew, Paul is third in the league in assists (10.2 per game), first in steals (2.8 per game) and tied for 18th in points per game (21.7).

In the two games against Seattle, Chris Paul is averaging 25.0 points and 12.5 assists.
Paul’s ability to break defenses down with his dribble opens up shots for New Orleans’ perimeter shooters Peja Stojakovic (14.3 ppg) and Morris Peterson (9.0 ppg). The Hornets inside players David West (19.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Tyson Chandler (12.1 ppg., 12 rpg) also benefit from Paul’s ability to disrupt defenses.

Seattle will have to keep Paul in front of them defensively and force the crafty point guard to beat them from the perimeter. Inside players Kurt Thomas and Nick Collison also will have to work hard to keep West and Chandler off the boards.

Seattle faces yet another streaking team in the New Orleans, winners of 10 of its past 12. The Hornets begin a five-game homestand against Seattle, and have won six of their past eight at home.

The Hornets have played well defensively, and are fifth-best in the league in points allowed (93.4 points per game).

Scouting the Sonics: Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo would like to see another performance similar to how the Sonics played against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, except with a different final result.

After struggling for several games offensively the Sonics finally got on track by aggressively attacking the basket, running the floor and getting some offensive putbacks.

Power forward Nick Collison is playing particularly well, with double-doubles in four of his last seven games. Collison finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds against the Lakers.

He may be moving back to the bench, however, with Chris Wilcox now healthy. Wilcox had 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench in his first game since injuring his right pinkie finger against Phoenix on Jan. 3.
Carlesimo said Wilcox and Ridnour will continue to come off the bench for now, with Earl Watson and Collison remaining in the starting lineup.

Delonte West returned to the injured list, with plantar fasciitis in his right foot flaring up again. Carlesimo said West will have an MRI when the team travels to Memphis on Thursday.

The Los Angeles game also showed how a healthy Luke Ridnour can help this team. Ridnour finishing with 10 point and 11 assists, and did a nice job of pushing the ball on the break.

Next: Seattle at Memphis, 5 p.m. Friday, FedEx Forum.