SoCal NBA Preview

New Orleans (9-5) at LA Clippers (6-5), 7:30 pm, NBA TV
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- After starting out the season as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets have fallen on hard times. The Hornets look to snap a three-game losing streak when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. New Orleans' losing streak comes after a 9-2 start. Point guard Chris Paul missed two games last week with an ankle injury and center Tyson Chandler has been battling a hyperextended knee for the last week. Despite both Paul and Chandler being in the starting lineup on Friday, the Hornets dropped a 99-71 decision to the Utah Jazz, managing just 33 percent (25-of-76) shooting. The Clippers are coming off a loss as well after falling 113-94 to the Phoenix Suns on Friday. Los Angeles is no stranger to injuries itself, playing without starters Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston all season and missing top scorer Corey Maggette and point guard Brevin Knight against the Suns. Center Chris Kaman has kept the Clippers afloat thus far, averaging 18.5 points and 14.1 rebounds.