Desperate to end a three-game losing streak, the New Orleans Hornets got needed help Wednesday night with the return of shooting guard Eric Gordon, who had missed the previous four games with a bruised right knee. But even with Gordon scoring a team-high 22 points, it wasn’t enough for the Hornets to prevent a 101-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in front of 12,387 at the New Orleans Arena.

The Hornets (2-4) were ineffective again in the fourth quarter as their losing streak reached four games.

This time they blew a six-point lead after turning the ball over six times and allowing 60 percent shooting (12 of 20) in the final period by the 76ers. The Hornets, who have not won since a Dec. 28 game against the Boston Celtics, were outscored 34-20 in the quarter.

In every game during the streak, they have been outscored in the fourth quarter, including 24-16 in Monday night’s 94-90 loss to the Utah Jazz.

“We have to look at film before I make a rash decision,’’ Hornets coach Monty Williams said. “I know there are some things I can do better to help our guys.’’

It was Gordon’s first game back since he made the winning shot with 4.2 seconds remaining in New Orleans’ season-opening 85-84 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 26.

Unlike his game in Phoenix, Gordon missed six of seven shots in the fourth quarter Wednesday night. He finished 8-of-22 and went 1-of-6 from 3-point range.

“We had too many lapses on defense where they hit some tough shots and we weren’t scoring offensively,’’ Gordon said. “We hurt ourselves by taking too many jump shots and not attacking the rim.’’

Gordon opened the game by hitting his first four shots, including a 3-pointer. His 11-point first quarter helped the Hornets take an early 13-point lead that eventually went to 14 before the first half ended with the Hornets leading 47-40.

Behind Gordon’s 20 points, the Hornets led 73-67 after three quarters, but they could not hold their momentum.

“I told our guys when you look back at a game like this, average teams lose, and teams that want to be good they find a way to win,’’ Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said.

Forward Thaddeus Young’s dunk spurred a 6-0 run that enabled the 76ers to surge ahead 89-83 with 4:18 remaining. Hornets guard Jarrett Jack made two free throws and a close-range shot to cut the deficit to 89-87.

However, point guard Jrue Holiday answered by hitting his third 3-pointer in the quarter that allowed 76ers to extend their lead to 98-89 with 46.7 seconds remaining. Besides Holiday scoring 14 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth, Philadelphia had five steals in the quarter.

“Holiday made some big plays for them down the stretch, but we should have never been in that position,’’ said Hornets backup center Chris Kaman, who scored 10 points and had eight rebounds.

John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.

A new beginning? You can call it that, if you look back on the six-season era of CP3. What you had Wednesday night was a welcome-back-home to the man that spanned both eras.

I say this remembering it was at an early stage of last season, with the New Orleans Hornets on their way to coming out of the starting bocks a surprising 8-0, that I posed the question to Chris Paul.

“What do you think about your rookie head coach?’’

There was no hesitation.

“He knows how to relate,’’ came the reply from the All-Pro point guard. “All coaches are busy sending messages. In some cases, not all messages are received. Coach (Monty) Williams makes contact, and that has plenty to do with the man and his personality. You get the message because you respect the messenger.’’

The messenger at the time was 39, the youngest head coach in the NBA, and once he started talking you realized you were dealing in mutual admiration.

“Right now,’’ said Williams, “Chris could be a head coach in this league. I’m more impressed than I was before I got to know him. He knows so much more than I did at his age. His attention to detail is amazing, and when it comes to individual defense, team defense, everyone has bought into what coach is selling.’’

Dell Demps, the General Manager who hired Williams from a list of candidates, says, “whenever Monty’s involved, it’s a soft sell. Monty has a special calmness about him. He doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve. But, inside, you’ll find a competitive fire and a smart man.’’

There was the Hornets coach Wednesday, preparing to bury the Boston Celtics 97-78, preparing for the first home game in an abbreviated season of 66 games, wondering how long it would take him to assess what he had. .

Only four games into his rookie season, Williams figured it was going to take at least 25 games of an 82-game season to find out “how good, how bad, we were.’’

All he knew then was he had the best point guard, the best pick-and-roll player, in the game, and he had to do his best to keep Chris Paul as fresh as possible.

Now he’s dealing with virtually a new roster, still getting acquainted with one another, in some cases still getting acquainted with the English language.

In a way, Williams has been dealing with nothing but change from Day One on the job.

“It continues to be a learning process for most of us,’’ he said, ‘’and that’s what makes it so interesting. It’s not an excuse.’’

Williams had no excuses last season when his 12-3 Hornets lost their first home game to the San Antonio Spurs, in the hands of Gregg Popovich, the man who helped shape Williams’ coaching career.

“I was outcoached by a lot,’’ said Monty who watched a 17-point halftime turn into a 14-point loss. After shooting 62 percent in the first half, the Hornets went 5-for-15 in the third quarter and turned the ball over five times to bring the Spurs back in the game.

“Coach Pop made move after move after move, and I had no answer,’’ said Williams.

The way he handled that defeat told me the Hornets had someone who could rock with the punches that would come and never look back.

On Thursday, you had Williams’ ball club, with a roster of nine new faces, without his top scorer, Eric Gordon, the hero of an opening game victory, send a serious message as to what you can accomplish with a take-it-to-you defense for a full 48 minutes.

Quite simply, the Hornets held a team known for its aggressive defense with one that not only limited the men in green to 78 points, but also limited them to 37 percent shooting, by forcing nine turnovers, by forcing seven steals, by blocking a dozen shots.

Meanwhile, Williams watched five of his players hit in double figures, led by Jarrett Jack’s 21 and Carl Landry’s 20.

He also watched 7-footer Chris Kaman come off the bench and contribute 27 minutes that included 12 points, some from the outside, nine rebounds and three blocks.

All things considered, two games into a new start, there’s more sunshine than clouds.

Welcome home, Monty Williams.

After an eight-month wait, New Orleans Hornets guard Marco Belinelli heard cheers again Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena. And it appeared to inspire him and his teammates, as the Hornets dominated the Boston Celtics from start to finish in taking a 97-78 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 17,802.

Because of the 149-day lockout, it was the first significant game played by the Hornets at the arena since they lost Game 6 to the Lakers in the playoffs last April.

With former Hornets All-Stars Chris Paul and David West now playing elsewhere, the new-look Hornets (2-0) are proving they can win without them, relying on their team-first concept that centers around defense.

“It was about our defensive play,’’ Hornets Coach Monty Williams said. “We demand defense, but you have to have guys that understand our defensive plan. Sometimes players are the best coaches.’’

The Hornets stayed in front of the Celtics’ shooters for the entire game, never giving them a chance to get into an offensive rhythm.

The Hornets’ frontcourt of Carl Landry, Emeka Okafor and Chris Kaman challenged nearly shot taken by Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal in the post. The Hornets had 12 blocks against the Celtics, who are 0-3 for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

New Orleans led by 21 points in the second half as the Celtics, who were without injured All-Star forward Paul Pierce, shot 37.2 percent.

The Hornets got their second consecutive victory without having Monday night’s hero, Eric Gordon, who missed the game after suffering a bruised left knee.

Gordon suffered the injury Monday night against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter when he bumped knees with Grant Hill. He made the winning shot with 4.2 seconds remaining and finished with a team-high 20 points in the Hornets’ 85-84 victory.

New Orleans didn’t need any last-second heroics against the Celtics. The Hornets had things under control, leading by 16 in the first half before taking a 48-39 halftime lead.

The Hornets pounded the aging Celtics inside with Kaman, Landry and Okafor.

“I think we have a number of guys that can play in a pinch,’’ Williams said. “To me, it’s the only kind of depth you can have over the long haul. We just have guys who can play different spots.’’

Landry finished with 20 points. Okafor had 13 and Kaman had 12.

For long stretches, Williams had Okafor and Kaman paired together on the floor. With near flawless execution, the Hornets outscored the Celtics 46-24 in the lane.

“I think this team (New Orleans) is going to play with a chip on their shoulder the entire year,’’ Boston Coach Doc Rivers said. “If I was a player and all I heard that if you lose Chris Paul, it’s the demise of the franchise, it make you try to prove a lot of people wrong.’’

On the perimeter, the Hornets were just as effective. Boston couldn’t slow down guard Jarrett Jack or Belinelli.

Jack returned to the lineup after missing Monday’s game after serving a one-game suspension by the league for a DUI arrest near Atlanta last season. Jack kept the Hornets on attack mode, sending passes inside and to open shooters on the wing. When he wasn’t creating, Jack made eight of 17 shots for a team-high 21 points. The Hornets’ backcourt duo of Jack and Belinelli scored 34 points, with Belinelli finishing with 13.

Belinelli, who started in place of Gordon after playing point guard Monday night, made three of four 3-point attempts.

After making two of 16 3-point attempts against the Suns, the Hornets made four of 12 Wednesday night.

“It is good for us to have Marco in a position where he can play some point guard and can play the two (shooting) guard,’’ Williams said.

John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.

Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 10:12 PM

In season-debut, Jack wanted to contribute any way he could.

NEW ORLEANS – Jarrett Jack’s first regular-season start since the Chris Paul trade was more than good enough for the New Orleans Hornets.

Jack had 21 points and nine assists in his season debut, and New Orleans dominated in its home opener, beating the winless Boston Celtics 97-78 on Wednesday night.

The Celtics are 0-3 for the first time since 2006-07, the season before they traded to bring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in to help star Paul Pierce. Pierce has yet to play this season because of a bruised right heel.

The Hornets, meanwhile, were without Eric Gordon, who bruised his right knee in a season-opening win at Phoenix in which he scored a team-high 20 points.

Jack did not play in the win over the Suns on Monday night because of a one-game suspension stemming from a drunken driving arrest last season. His return helped a Hornets squad looking for a boost in Gordon’s absence, and power forward Carl Landry pitched in with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Allen led Boston with 15 points.

Jack inherited the Hornets’ starting point guard job in the preseason after Paul, a four-time All-Star, was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Gordon, Chris Kaman, and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Kaman, who had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench in his Hornets debut Monday, came back with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots against Boston.

Kaman backed up Emeka Okafor, who had 13 points, six rebounds and five blocks. Marco Belinelli, who started for Gordon at shooting guard, was 3 of 4 from 3-point range and also finished with 13 points. Five of Landry’s rebounds came on the offensive end, helping the Hornets outscore the Celtics 21-11 in second-chance points.

Rajon Rondo scored 13 for Boston, while Louisiana native and former LSU star Brandon Bass added 11 points and Keyon Dooling 10.

Kevin Garnett had a difficult night in what was Boston’s third road game in four nights to open this lockout-compressed season. He finished with eight points on 4-of-10 shooting.

The Celtics shot like a team with tired legs, hitting only 37 percent from the field (29 of 78). New Orleans, by contrast, appeared energized by a sellout crowd, shooting 45.6 percent and outrebounding Boston 48-37. The Hornets also had a whopping 46-24 advantage in points in the paint.

New Orleans took the lead for good late in the first quarter and Belinelli’s 3 ignited a 13-4 run to open the fourth. Landry’s jumper capped the spurt, giving New Orleans an 85-67 lead with 6:25 to go.

Boston’s largest lead was 9-2 before the Hornets stiffened defensively and raced into the lead with an 8-0 run ignited by Belinelli’s 3 and capped by Jack’s steal and fast-break layup. Belinelli later added a three-point play on a tough fade as he was fouled and fell to the court, helping the Hornets build a 24-18 lead by the end of the opening period.

The Hornets led by as many as 16 points in the first half after Okafor and Landry scored four points each during an 8-0 run that made it 46-30.

Boston, which fell behind in large part because of 33 percent shooting (15 of 45) in the opening two periods, cut its deficit to single digits with a 9-2 run capped by Rondo’s end-to-end layup in the final seconds of the half, making it 48-39.

NOTES: Attendance for the home opener was announced as an overflow 17,802. … Celtics rookie Greg Stiemsma blocked six shots. … Boston also was without F-C Chris Wilcox, who has a bruised right shoulder. … The Celtics return to Boston for their home opener on Friday against Detroit. … The Hornets remain at home for their next contest on Friday against Phoenix.

Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 5:07 PM

T-P Hornets beat writer John Reid previews tonight’s home opener against the Celtics.

New Orleans Hornets starting point guard Jarrett Jack will return to the lineup for Wednesday night’s home opener against the Boston Celtics at the New Orleans Arena. He missed Monday night’s season opener after serving a one-game suspension for last season’s DUI arrest near Atlanta.

Without Jack, Marco Belinelli earned his first career start at point guard, but appeared to have problems getting the Hornets into their offense quickly enough before the Suns were able to set up in their halfcourt defensive sets. After newly acquired guard Greivis Vasquez replaced Belinelli, the Hornets’ offense began to flow better.

Shooting guard Eric Gordon made a 20-foot jump shot with 4.2 seconds remaining to lift the Hornets to a 85-84 victory against the Suns. Gordon scored a team-high 20 points in his debut game.

New Orleans (1-0) are now preparing to play a veteran Boston team that is expected to be without All-Star forward Paul Pierce, who has a bruised right heel. Without Pierce, the Celtics lost 106-104 to the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.The Celtics play the Miami Heat tonight.

“I know everybody is thinking it’s going to be a down year for us,’’ Hornets Coach said Monty Williams, who gave his team Tuesday off after their long flight from Phoenix.  “It’s never crossed our minds. We don’t talk about it and we certainly won’t give in to it. Starting with our defensive mindset, I feel we got the players who want to do things necessary to win games.’’

The New Orleans Hornets are involved in Chris Paul(notes) trade talks, and according to sources involved in the talks, have targeted guards Stephen Curry(notes) and Eric Gordon(notes). ESPN is reporting that the Hornets are talking with the Los Angeles Clippers about acquiring Gordon and simultaneously talking with the Golden State Warriors about trading for Curry.

Both Golden State and Los Angeles have worked hard to build up a roster through the draft, and youth is the best asset that those two franchises currently have. With the Clippers, Gordon, DeAndre Jordan(notes) and Blake Griffin(notes) comprise three good young players. On the Warriors, Curry and newly drafted Klay Thompson(notes) from Washington State University give that team a lot of depth on the roster as well. Now the Hornets would like to take some of that youth in exchange for an All-Star point guard.

Trades like these ones are always easier if the parts would stay in place for several seasons. The problem is that Paul is in the last year of his contract with the Hornets, so if he gets traded, he could still hit free agency in the next offseason. The Warriors and Clippers need guarantees that Paul is willing to sign a contract extension; otherwise it doesn’t make sense to give up assets like Gordon or Curry. Curry is becoming a star for the Warriors, and he could join the ranks of big NBA stars if the team actually started winning ballgames.

It sure seems like Paul is going to get traded by New Orleans before the beginning of the regular season, but it is equally unclear which franchise is going to join the deal. There are certainly a few teams that could use a nice rental like Paul for the 2011-12 season, but several top contenders would love to give up spare parts to get him. The New York Knicks probably want him the most, but have zero real assets to offer in return. Then there is the Boston Celtics, who could offer someone like Rajon Rondo(notes), but also get no guarantee that Paul will stay after this year.

A deal is out there with the Los Angeles Lakers if the Hornets would take either Pau Gasol(notes) or Andrew Bynum(notes) in a trade, but neither is a player that will put people in the seats for years to come. They are good players when healthy, but they just don’t have the talent level to take over games by themselves. That’s what Paul offers and teams around the league fully realize the value he could bring in a blockbuster trade.

More From YCN :

Vince Carter to Bulls Report

Miami Wants Greg Oden

Chris Paul Wants Traded to Knicks

Nets Want Dwight Howard

Miami Favored to Win NBA Title

Sources:

NBA Main Website

Yahoo NBA Site

*Ryan Christopher DeVault is a hard-core NBA fan that looks forward to an exciting 2011-12 season now that the lockout has come to an end. Ryan is also a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

With only a week remaining before free agents can sign contracts, the Hornets may have the hardest challenge of any NBA team to retool their roster.

New Orleans is the only franchise in the league with only five players under contract. Since last Wednesday, when general managers could begin contacting the agents of available free agents, Hornets General Manager Dell Demps has been scrambling to get his targets in line.

The NBA is finally back to business after an agreement was reached to end the 149-day lockout. With a shortened 66-game regular season set to begin on Christmas Day, general managers such as Demps are working long hours to get their rosters in order.

League sources confirmed the Hornets are interested in re-signing both David West and Carl Landry. But the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors have shown the most interest in West, and Landry has been targeted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Former LSU forward Glen “Big Baby’’ Davis, a free agent who has played four seasons with the Boston Celtics, has listed the Hornets as one of the teams he would consider if offered a deal. Small forward Josh Howard could be another player the Hornets might pursue.

Although the league granted permission for team officials to grant media interviews last week, Demps has not been made available yet.

Teams can sign free agents to contracts beginning Dec. 9, the first day training camps open. The season is set to begin on Christmas Day, and the Hornets could open on Dec. 26.

“Our front office has done a great job so far since I’ve been here,’’ backup guard Jarrett Jack said. “A lot of people looked at the Marcus Thornton trade last season and thought that was something that was going to hinder us further on down the line. But adding someone like Landry, coincidently, David goes down, and he comes in and steps forward for us.

“I’m sure they are going to do a great job of providing us with the necessary parts and pieces we need to be competitive.”

However, it could be difficult for the Hornets to attract free agents with the uncertainty involving All-Star point guard Chris Paul’s future with the franchise. Paul has not indicated if he will sign a long-term extension, and the Hornets have listened to trade offers.

Despite swirling trade rumors concerning Paul, the Hornets are trying to carry over momentum gained last season when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and before losing to the Lakers in six games in the first round under Coach Monty Williams.

Paul said he didn’t know who all the available free agents are, but the most important thing the Hornets could do is find out what West wants to do.

“At the end of the day, he’s going to do what’s best for him and his family,’’ Paul said.

At $42 million, the Hornets have the sixth-lowest payroll in the league. They will have just less than $16 million to spend on free agents and would stay under the projected $58 million salary cap.

“I felt we did pretty good last year, considering we had so many new bodies with a first-year coach,’’ forward Trevor Ariza said. “We’ve got to deal with the cards that we have, not worry about anybody else and try to get it done.’’

Ariza, who lives in Los Angeles, said he did not try to entice any free agents to consider New Orleans. However, Jack said he told some free agents about the benefits of playing in New Orleans.

“I live in Atlanta, so there are various guys that come in and out of the gym, and I’m always throwing New Orleans out there as a nice landing pad. But I’m confident our front office will be able to handle that and are up to the task to do that and get ready for the season.’’

•••••••

John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.

The New Orleans Hornets still plan to offer star point guard Chris Paul a long-term extension, but they have listened to trade offers from several teams including the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers, sources confirmed Wednesday.

Paul has not said publicly if he wants to opt out of his current deal with the Hornets or push for a trade before the NBA season begins on Dec. 25.

But ESPN reported Wednesday that Paul would not sign an extension if he was traded to the Celtics, who are interested in parting ways with All-Star guard Rajon Rondo. Hornets officials said General Manager Dell Demps would not be available for comment today.

Hornets players can begin using the Alario Center practice facility on Thursday for the first time since the lockout began July 1. With free agency starting Dec. 9, the Hornets have only five players currently under contract.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The New Orleans Hornets will open the 2011-12 regular season at home with a midweek game on Nov. 2 against the Chicago Bulls, if a labor disagreement between the players and owners is settled.

The Hornets play five of their first eight games in the New Orleans Arena, including a matchup against the Miami Heat, the Eastern Conference champions, on Nov. 9 before beginning a five-game road swing.

The team’s first road game is on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Sacramento Kings.

Also on tap are two home games against the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 21; the lone home match-up against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, Dec. 28, and the season’s final home game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, April 15.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul dribbled around school-aged kids, grinning and appearing relaxed during Friday’s party celebrating the inaugural year of the CP3 Afterschool Zone at KIPP Central City Primary School.

Focused on having an enjoyable offseason that will include marrying his long-time girlfriend, Jada Crawley, in September, Paul didn’t want to discuss the looming potential NBA lockout or tip his hand whether he will sign an extension with the Hornets when negotiations begin with General Manager Dell Demps, probably in July.

“It’s not something I think about right now,’’ Paul said. “The lockout is probably the biggest issue right now. Those things, I have to worry about once we get to it.”

Paul can opt out of his contract with the Hornets and pursue free agency after next season. A long summer is ahead, and whether the Paul-to-the-Knicks rumors mount as they did last summer is anybody’s guess.

Whether it creates speculation or not, Paul said he will continue wearing his New York Yankees baseball cap like he did at a recent Miami Heat-Boston Celtics playoff game while seated courtside in Miami.

“Catch me tomorrow, I will have the hat on,’’ Paul said. “I’m not going to stop being who I am. I like the Yankees. I know CC Sabathia real well, Derek Jeter. I wear a Yankees cap about every game. That’s the only hat I wear, so everybody that knows me, knows that. Should I not wear the hat? I’ve been wearing the hat since I’ve been wearing hats.’’

Paul said he’s not going to let anything put a damper on his down time.

“I’ve got an elite camp back home, a traveling AAU team that goes from 12-and-under to 17-and-under, and I’m going to try to see them,’’ Paul said. “I have my little cousins’ graduations. I’ll be here in July for Essence. It’s a lot of different stuff going, my brother (C.J.) getting married, too.

“It’s time for me to enjoy my family and enjoy my extended family — these kids. I’m not thinking about that type of stuff (extension and lockout). I think mentally you have to get away from it a little bit, because that’s more consuming than the physical part. I’ve still got a lot of stuff going on, it’s never stopped. The problems everybody else has, I do too.’’

Paul’s father, Charles, said whether his son signs an extension or opts out of his contract will strictly be up to him.

“It’s not about what I want or his mama,’’ Charles Paul said. “It’s where he wants to take his career. The money is going to be there wherever he wants to go.

“But at the end of the day, he’s got to be happy with the decision he makes and the people around him. He’s been playing six years and he’s been through three injuries. He’s tough, he’s going to make the right decision. It’s not that he makes the decision, it’s how you go about it. That character still goes a long way.’’

After the Hornets extended the Los Angeles Lakers to six games before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, Paul said he is convinced about the team’s future. He praised Coach Monty Williams’ preparation and the way Demps improved the roster with several trades.

“I don’t care how I do statistically, I always want to win,’’ Paul said. “I think this is going to be a big summer, I can train harder and come back healthy.’’

Demps said last week that the bar has been set, and they intend to raise it by putting more talent around Paul next season.

“Chris has been engaged since Day 1,’’ Demps said. “We have an open line of communications. We believe it will stay like that as this thing continues.

“We’re trying to build a good basketball team, and Chris is a very important part of it.’’

Demps said he wants forward David West, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in March, to return. West can opt out of his contract. Demps said he’ll also make a push to re-sign forward Carl Landry, who will become a free agent July 1. Paul said he plans to visit West after he returns to North Carolina today.

“I’ve been talking to my teammates, Trevor (Ariza) just had a little one,’’ Paul said. “I’m enjoying my family. I wish we were still in the playoffs, but right now we’re not, so this is my focus.’’

•••••••

John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.