I think they can.  The Hornets are sitting at 21-27 on the season and they are only 3 games out of the #8 spot in the Western Conference.  That is amazing because of all the injuries that crippled the Hornets all season.  Chris Paul and David West are both back now so look for the Hornets to make a run at the playoffs.  The fact that they even have a chance is a testament to how well guys like Rasual Butler, Devin Brown, Jannero Pargo and Bobby Jackson have played this season. 

The Hornets didn’t play well on defense as the Kings shot 52.6% from the floor and that did them in last night.  Chris Paul led the way for the Hornets with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.  Desmond Mason also had a solid night with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.  David West added 16 points and 3 rebounds.

The Hornets fell to 21-27 on the season with this loss.  http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270205023

Forward Marcus Vinicius will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL recently.  His rookie season ended before he even started to get anything going.  He only played in 8 games and averaged 6.3 minutes, 1.4 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists.

The Hornets look like a new team with Chris Paul back.  They really played great defense as they held the Rockets to 37.2% from the floor and they outrebounded the Rockets 49-36!  Devin Brown led the way on offense for the Hornets with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.  Chris Paul only hit 4 of 12 shots from the floor, but he still wound up with a solid game.  Paul scored 12 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 9 assists and stole the ball 4 times.

The Hornets improved to 21-26 on the season last night.  http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270203010

The two big men that the Hornets drafted in the first round started out the season o.k. but they have not played well lately.  Cedric Simmons has played in 34 games and is averaging 14.3 minutes, 3.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists.  The Hornets expected much more from him.

Hilton Armstrong has also been a disappointment for the Hornets.  He has played in 28 games and he’s averaging 11.5 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.2 assists.

Marcus Vinicius’ season is now over because of a torn ACL.  Vinicius played in 8 games and averaged 6.3 minutes, 1.4 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists.

The Hornets played great defense last night as they held the Timberwolves to 38.8% shooting from the floor. Chris Paul returned from injury last night and looked like he never missed a game.  Paul scored 24 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, dished out 8 assists and stole the ball 4 times.  Tyson Chandler had an incredible game last night as he hit 8 of 9 shots from the floor.  Chandler wound up with 16 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

The Hornets improved to 20-26 on the season with this win.  http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=270202003