New Orleans Hornets

New Hornets coach Jeff Bower and newly hired lead assistant Tim Floyd are in the midst of their most intensive teaching since taking over from Byron Scott earlier this month.

The first six games under Bower were played in a span of 10 days, leaving limited practice time beyond what was devoted to the next opponent. But the 102-99 overtime victory against the Bucks on Wednesday night in the New Orleans Arena was the Hornets' only game in a span of six days. New Orleans (7-9) next plays at the Kings on Sunday.

Bower said that most of the practice time during the condensed schedule was spent "cleaning up" areas that needed cleaning up. But this week more time has been spent installing new "execution points" on offense and defense, which will continue throughout the season.

"It's been pretty balanced (between offense and defense)," Bower said. "We want to give teams a fresh look. The level of scouting in this league dictates that you keep putting in fresh things to give teams something new to prepare for."

Bower said a general point of emphasis has been to take the good "spurts and segments" that the team has had periodically and extend them until they put together a full 48 minutes of "very good" basketball.

HORNETS 102, BUCKS 99 (OT): Rookie Darren Collison made a tying 3-pointer and knocked the ball away from the Bucks to end a potential game-winning possession at the end of regulation. Then in overtime he scored three points, including a tie-breaking free throw, and made a key steal to rally the Hornets. Collison finished with 18 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in 36-plus minutes.

The Hornets made just 36.6 percent of their field goals and committed a season-worst 23 turnovers, leading to 20 Bucks' points. They overcame that by making 28-of-31 free throws and whipping the Bucks on the boards, a season-high 61 to 49.

• The victory against the Bucks on Wednesday night was the Hornets' 11th consecutive overtime victory at home, tying for the second-longest such streak in NBA history.

• Hornets majority owner George Shinn attended a Hornets game for the first time since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in early November. Shinn briefly addressed the crowd before the game to thank fans for their support and prayers. Shinn has been out of town receiving treatment and has gotten a positive prognosis.

• The Hornets made just 6-of-24 3-pointers after hitting 52.9 percent of their 3-pointers and making an average of 12.3 3-pointers in their last three games.

• The Hornets have played the toughest schedule in the NBA as their opponents have a combined winning percentage of .607, and every other team has played opponents with a combined winning percent of under .600.

Quote To Note:

"I just know that every day I come in and try to get it stronger and hope that it's healing faster."

—G Chris Paul, who is sidelined indefinitely because of a sprained left ankle.

Rotation:

Starters—Point guard Darren Collison, Shooting guard Bobby Brown, Small forward Peja Stojakovic, Power forward David West, Center Emeka Okafor. Bench—Guard Marcus Thoronton, Forward Darius Songaila, Forward James Posey, Guard Devin Brown, Guard Morris Peterson, Forward Sean Marks.

Player Notes:

• F David West, who had averaged 10.3 points while making 14-of-46 shots in the last three games, scored a game-high 27 points (making 9-of-19 shots despite a 1-for-5 start) and grabbed 10 rebounds.

• C Emeka Okafor had just eight points, but added 13 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.

• G Marcus Thornton who had scored in double figures in six consecutive games, scored just four points after getting into early foul trouble and making just 1-of-5 shots. Thornton's foul trouble led to G Morris Peterson playing for the first time in 10 games, though he played just four-plus minutes and missed all three of his shots.

• F Darius Songaila played a season-high 26-plus minutes, finishing with six points and seven rebounds.

Medical Watch:

• G Chris Paul is out indefinitely with a severely sprained left ankle, though he is no longer wearing a walking cast.

• F Ike Diogu (strained left knee) has not played and is sidelined indefinitely.