(My Sportsbook) - Winning has been become the norm lately for the
New Orleans Hornets, who will try to extend their season-high winning streak to eight games Monday against the
Atlanta Hawks in the opener of a four-game road trip.
New Orleans has won seven straight and will also visit the Wizards, Bucks and Bulls on the road swing. It is 16-13 away from the Big Easy this season and currently sits 2 1/2 games behind San Antonio for the lead in the Southwest.
The Hornets stayed within striking distance of the Spurs with their seventh straight win on Saturday, handing the Oklahoma City Thunder a 108-90 drubbing at New Orleans Arena. Chris Paul had 21 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and six steals, as the fifth-seeded Hornets took advantage of 20 points from both Rasual Butler and Julian Wright.
David West recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler contributed 12 points and eight boards for New Orleans, which is riding the longest winning streak since a nine-game run from January 11 - 28, 2008. In injury news for the Hornets, sharp-shooting forward Peja Stojakovic is expected to miss Monday's game due to back spasms.
Atlanta will continue a seven-game homestand this evening versus the Hornets and opened the residency with Saturday's 87-83 victory over the Detroit Pistons at Philips Arena.
Josh Smith and Al Horford scored 19 and 18 points, respectively, for the Hawks, who ended a two-game slide to remain fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. Mike Bibby chipped in 17 points, while Joe Johnson and Flip Murray ended with 12 points apiece in the win.
The Hawks will also host the Jazz, Pacers, Blazers, Kings and Mavericks on the homestand, and are 21-7 in Georgia this season. Atlanta forward Marvin Williams (strained back) is listed as questionable versus New Orleans.
Atlanta defeated New Orleans, 87-79, on November 5 this season on the road to snap a four-game losing streak in the series. The Hornets have won six of the past eight matchups with the Hawks, who have dropped the last two contests as the host between the teams.
