The New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets almost gave their fans something to remember them by. The Hornets are happy that it stayed at almost.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Friday night against the winless Atlanta Hawks, Hornets forward Brandon Bass rocked the Ford Center with a highlight worthy dunk off a pretty feed from rookie guard Chris Paul to make the score 76-50.

There is an old adage that a game is never over in the NBA. But upon seeing their team up 26 and in firm control, Hornet fans were making their way to the nearest exit to beat game day traffic.

The Hawks had scored 50 points in 38 minutes. The next 10 would be another story. Hawks rookie guard Salim Stoudamire scored eight points in a row for Atlanta sandwiched between another Bass basket to cut it down to 20.

More damage from Stoudamire and guard Joe Johnson and suddenly the lead was cut to 12 at 87-75. A Johnson three-point bucket cut the lead down to six at 90-84. Another Johnson bucket drew the Hawks within one.

After free throws by Kirk Snyder and Paul, another Stoudamire three cut it down to one again at 93-92. Paul would sink two more free throws and the Hornets snapped their four game losing skid.

The Hawks scored 42 points in the last 10 minutes as OKC fans nearly witnessed a monumental collapse.

"The lack of focus is frustrating," Hornets head coach Byron Scott said. "It's about mental concentration. The guys thought the game was over."

The Hornets came into the game depleted, missing starters P.J. Brown and J.R. Smith and sixth man Speedy Claxton for various reasons. Scott was looking to give his starters some r and r as OKC had to travel to Orlando the next night.

"Some of those guys were scared to death," he said. "I lost a little trust in some of those guys."

The finish took away from a stellar first three quarters where OKC outplayed the Hawks in every way imaginable.

"I've never been a part of a game like that," Hornets guard Kirk Snyder said. "Goes to show you that you have to be ready at all times."

For a young team, Friday night was a learning experience about how to close out games.

"As an NBA player, you have to have pride," forward David West said. "We should have never let them back in this game."

The Hornets used that experience and were able to get revenge on the Orlando Magic Saturday night, 98-95. The Magic had won at the Ford Center two weeks ago.

Going into the fourth quarter, they were down two. Thanks in large part to a career high 34 points from West and another solid outing by Paul, they were able to come from behind and win on the road.

The Hornets are now 4-5 and have played themselves out of last place in their division. Their next home game will be Wednesday when Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Minnesota Timberwolves make their first trip to OKC.
hello there & you too