Hornets resume important trip with bout against Warriors

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03/17/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets resume a five-game road trip in Oakland tonight, aiming for a season sweep of the woeful Golden State Warriors.

New Orleans has already topped the Warriors three times this season and will be aiming for its first sweep of Golden State since 2001-02.

The Hornets improved to 1-1 on their trek Monday in Los Angeles, where rookie Marcus Thornton hit a pair of three-pointers during a big New Orleans run in the fourth quarter and the Hornets pulled away late to beat the Clippers, 108-100.

David West led all scorers with 24 points, while rookie Darren Collison continued his solid play with 18 points and 14 assists for the Hornets, who have won 13 straight against the Clippers. Morris Peterson and Thornton each netted 17 points to help New Orleans break its seven-game road losing streak.

"I'm happy for our players to get the win," said Hornets coach Jeff Bower. "It was a tight game until the fourth quarter."

Despite the win, New Orleans is a miserable 8-14 since losing All-Star Chris Paul to a knee injury and is now an almost insurmountable 7 1/2 games behind Portland for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just 14 left to be played.

The Warriors, meanwhile, lost for the seventh time in eight contests on Monday, when Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 124-121 win over Golden State, their ninth straight win over the Warriors.

Stephen Curry ended with 29 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors, who are a dismal 5-20 in their last 25 games and have the second-worst record in the West

Chris Hunter had a career-best 22 points, but Monta Ellis struggled in a big way for Golden State, going 5-of-23 from the field in a 13-point effort.

"I'm a shooter," Ellis said. "I'm a shooter until coach [Don Nelson] tells me not to shoot anymore."

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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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