Nba Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Dec 11, 2000 by Dan Graf

WHO'S HOT

Second-year Hornets PG Baron Davis is threatening to post a triple-double almost every night. In leading the Hornets to a 6-1 record during a recent seven-game stretch, Davis had at least seven rebounds and seven assists in every game. He had two triple-doubles during the run and averaged 15.0 points, 9.7 assists and 8.6 rebounds. How Davis, at 6-3, gets all those rebounds is anyone's guess.

WHO'S NOT

Even though Nets PG Stephon Marbury is playing well, he still needs help, And he isn't getting it from back-court-mate Kendall I, During a stretch of six straight losses, Gill shot only 27 percent from the field and had almost as many turnovers (14) as assists (20). Gill was expected to thrive after moving to his natural shooting guard spot, but he made half of his shots in only two of his first 15 games.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

The public bashing Celtics PF Antoine Walker takes for hoisting too many 3-point shots is misplaced. Walker, a career 31 percent 3-point shooter, made 44 percent of his 3-pointers in the Celtics' first 16 games. Though many don't like seeing a 6-9 player with Walker's slithery interior skills standing around the 3-point line, the shooting-challenged Celtics need him to do it. It's not Walker's fault he's the team's best passer, rebounder and second-best shooter.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK

HORNETS AT PACERS

Saturday's meeting at indiana comes just three days after the teams' first meeting of the season in Charlotte. If the Pacers want to repeat as Central Division champions, the road is more likely to run through Charlotte than Cleveland by season's end. If the Pacers don't at least gain a split vs. the Hornets, making the playoffs may be a more realistic goal than winning the Central.

NUMBERS GAME

32: That's how many fans named "Joe" or "Smith" who showed up to claim $1 tickets on the Pistons' "Joe Smith Night." Ironically, Smith wears No. 32. 10: Pounds lost by Hornets PF Derrick Coleman since he went on injured reserve November 18 weighing a chunky 285. He's still a month away from playing, according to his coach, Paul Silas.

THEY SAID IT

"We heard guys talking about what they did in Charlotte. I personally wanted to beat this team tonight." --76ers C Theo Ratliff, after avenging an earlier loss to the Hornets last week