Smith shines as Hornets ease past the Wizards 97-89
Jason Smith doesn’t always enjoy the luxury of starting for the New Orleans Hornets, but after scoring a career-high 20 points in a 97-89 win, it seems that he might get the opportunity on a more regular basis.
New Orleans Hornets went into Tuesday nights fixture on the back of a two-match losing skid. To make matters worse, their star centre Emeka Okafor was forced onto the sidelines for the first time in 306 games, with a left oblique muscle strain. All of a
sudden Hornets Coach Monty Williams had to figure out where to get the 11.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game, he is used to getting from his centre.
However, Josh Smith stepped up to the challenge big time. In just over 25 minutes of play the seven-foot forward went 9-of-11 from the field, and chipped in with five boards and two steals, as he led the Hornets to a 97-89 win over the ice cold Washington
Wizards.
The Wizards on the other hand continued their road woes, as they slipped to their 25th straight loss on Tuesday night. The men from Washington are now just four losses away from equalling the Dallas Mavericks’ all-time losing record. Nick Young
and Andray Blatche though provided some positives for the visitors.
Young scored a match-high 30 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while Blatche scored 21 points and nine rebounds. Their endeavours though were undone by some lacklustre shooting from the rest of the team as the Wizards conceded their sixth game on the trot.
For the Hornets, it was more of a combined team offence, and a shored up defence that held them in high stead. Swingman Chris Paul was at his effective best. The fifth year guard knocked down 15 points and dished out nine assists, while Trevor Ariza finished
with 16 points.
Smith set the home court ablaze as the Hornets got off to a solid start. New Orleans led throughout the early parts of the first quarter. A 9-4 surge down the middle though, gave Washington the initiative, as a Nick Young triple pointer gave them a 26-22
lead with 44 seconds to go. New Orleans however, sprung back immediately by scoring on all of their next three possession, as they finished the quarter leading 29-26.
The Hornets again started positively in the second frame, but the tenacious Wizards offence always remained within striking distance in the starting six minutes. The Hornets however, managed to break away midway through the period, as they rattled the Wizards
back-line with an 11-4 spurt.
They continued their up tempo game in the second stanza. While Trevor Ariza, Chris Paul and Jason Smith were firing upfront, the defence also started to find its groove. New Orleans effectively clogged the centre lanes to force the Wizards offence on the
perimeter. The move paid off instantly, as the visitors were restricted to just 21 points in the quarter, 11 of which came from free throws.
The Hornets ended the third frame leading by 15, and although the Wizards did give them a minor jolt down the stretch to pull them within seven, their win was never threatened. Marcus Thornton provided the finishing touch with a pair of charity throws as
the Hornets cruised to a 97-89 win.
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