(My Sportsbook) - The New Orleans Hornets return to the Ford Center Friday as they take on the woeful Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Hornets played 71 home games at the Ford Center in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons in the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina before returning back to the Big Easy.

While toiling in Oklahoma City, the Hornets averaged over 18,000 fans per game and the NBA was so impressed by the local faithful that the city rose to the top of the list for a future expansion team or as a possible destination for a relocation.

That came to fruition in the offseason as the Seattle SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma, and the Thunder were born.

Things haven't been all peaches and cream on the court for the Thunder, however. Oklahoma City lost its ninth straight contest Wednesday when Chris Kaman led a balanced attack with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Thunder, 108-88, in a battle of the league's two worst teams.

With a combined record of 2-19 coming into the contest, the Clippers and Thunder had the two worst winning percentages in the NBA.

Kevin Durant had a team-high 18 points for the Thunder, who have now dropped nine straight games since a win over Minnesota. Damien Wilkins scored 17 points, while Russell Westbrook came off the bench to score 10 points and dish out four assists.

Meanwhile, the Hornets have been struggling themselves. Sacramento's John Salmons led five Kings in double figures with 29 points and six assists in Sacramento's 105-96 victory over New Orleans on Wednesday.

Chris Paul, nursing a balky ankle, logged 20 points and 15 assists, while David West scored 22 points for New Orleans, which has lost three of four. Tyson Chandler posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

On the injury front for the Hornets, swingman Morris Peterson is expected to miss Friday's game with a sore right knee.

The Hornets have won five straight over the Seattle/Oklahoma City franchise.