Some NBA executives believe that the Hornets may not be able to avoid dealing away David West before the February 18 trade deadline.  Trading West would ensure that the Hornets stay under this season's luxury tax threshold.  

The Hornets would likely prefer to move Emeka Okafor, Peja Stojakovic, James Posey, Mo Peterson, Darius Songaila or Julian Wright.  But finding a taker for any of these other players will be more difficult than doing so for West.

The Hornets and Timberwolves were thought to be close to a trade involving Devin Brown early Tuesday, but Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the deal has hit a snag.

"Despite discussions, one league source close to talks says deal "probably not" happening between Hornets and Wolves for Devin Brown," Wojnarowski wrote on his Twitter page.

Brown is averaging 10 points on 39.8% shooting this season.

Hornets forward Sean Marks will be sidelined for an indefinite period with a strained lower leg muscle.

Marks tested his ailing right shoulder in full-contact practices with success lately, but a strained plantaris muscle is impeding his comeback.

"This is not one of the best days that I've had," Marks said Wednesday night. "It's a strange little muscle, which is great, but Mark (Cranston, Hornets' director of athletic performance and rehabilitation) said, 'What do you want,  the good news or the bad news?

" 'The good news is it's an insignificant muscle, not your gastroc (gastrocnemius) or one of your main muscles in your calf, the bad news is you're going to be out.' I'm going to see the doc, but it's real painful walking around on it right now. It's just really frustrating. Brutal. I was feeling great, itching to get back on the court. Having practiced the last few days with the guys, now this setback is brutal. You feel you're letting them down, everybody down. These last two years have been pretty tough."

Ike Diogu underwent season-ending microfracture surgery, but he hopes to be back next season.

"Of course, I am very disappointed," said Diogu.  "But you can only dwell on this for so long. Injuries are a part of the game. I?m not the first person in the NBA to undergo season-ending surgery. I?m confident that I can come back, and the doctors said I should make a full recovery. Even though it is major surgery, where the defect is in my knee is not where I bear a lot of weight, so I should be able to come back 100 percent. I still believe in my abilities. Once I?m healthy, I will be on someone?s roster. I want to be here. But at the same time, I know this is a business. But I will be on someone?s roster next season.

ESPN will formally announce Monday that Byron Scott will rejoin the network starting in January to appear on various studio shows.

Scott was fired as New Orleans' coach after nine games this season.

He was an ESPN analyst during the 2003-2004 season.

The Hornets are limiting Chris Paul's practice time to keep him ready for games.

Paul was mostly a spectator on Saturday during the team's practice.

"He was kind of limited today and we'll take the same approach tomorrow," general manager/head coach Jeff Bower said. "We'll try to give him as much rest as we can."

Paul missed eight games with a sprained left ankle before returning on Dec. 4 against the Timberwolves.

The Knicks scored the final 18 points of their game against the Hornets on Friday night.

New York won 113-96 with Al Harrington scoring 28 points.

"Our defense was horrible," New Orleans guard Chris Paul said. "We've had a few games where our defense was good, but not tonight, and it was obvious we couldn't buy a shot."

The win was the Knicks' fourth straight. They hadn't won four consecutive games since Jan. 2-13, 2006.

New York trailed 96-95 with less than five minutes left.

"Everybody hit big shots, one after another," New York coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We were moving the ball really well. We're just playing really well right now."

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that forward Ike Diogu will undergo season-ending micro-fracture surgery to repair his injured left knee. The procedure will take place Tuesday in New York City by Dr. David Altcheck.

?Obviously I am very disappointed to be having this surgery instead of being able to be out there on the court with my teammates,? said Diogu. ?I am committed to being back 100 percent and am going to do whatever it takes to be back playing basketball.?

There were a few close games in the NBA on Wednesday night, including Detroit and New Orleans coming out on top over Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Late game FIC scores will be added once they become available.

- Atlanta 118, Chicago 83

Team FIC Differential: Hawks +62.4, Bulls -62.4

The Atlanta Hawks (15-6) pulled away from the Chicago Bulls (7-13) in the second quarter on Wednesday night and never looked back. Jamal Crawford starred with 29 points, Maurice Williams posted 12 points and eight rebounds and Joe Johnson added 18 points, seven boards and four assists. Atlanta shot 50% from the field while holding Chicago to 36% shooting and forcing 19 turnovers. Derrick Rose had 19 points and seven assists, Luol Deng tallied 10 points and seven rebounds and rookie James Johnson contributed 17 points off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Jamal Crawford, Atlanta ? 19.4

Josh Smith, Atlanta ? 16.4

Maurice Evans, Atlanta ? 15.0

James Johnson, Chicago ? 12.8

- Portland 102, Indiana 91

Team FIC Differential: Trail Blazers +20.2, Pacers -20.2

The Portland Trail Blazers (14-9) used strong efforts in the first and fourth quarters to down the Indiana Pacers (6-13) at Conseco Fieldhouse. Brandon Roy led with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists, LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 20 points and eight boards and Joel Przybilla put up 12 points and eight rebounds. Portland attempted ten more foul shots than Indiana and held the home team to 41% shooting. Dahntay Jones scored 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting, Tyler Hansbrough posted 13 points and 11 rebounds and Troy Murphy totaled 10 points and seven boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Brandon Roy, Portland ? 18.0

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland ? 17.8

Tyler Hansbrough, Indiana ? 13.4

Troy Murphy, Indiana ? 10.3

- Detroit 90, Philadelphia 86

Team FIC Differential: Pistons +9.4, 76ers -9.4

Allen Iverson turned in his second-straight 11-point performance as the Philadelphia 76ers (5-17) fell to the Detroit Pistons (9-12). Rodney Stuckey led with 25 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Jonas Jerebko posted 17 points and 10 boards and Ben Wallace grabbed 12 rebounds in the victory. Detroit outrebounded Philadelphia by 13 and went 1-for-8 from three-point land. Andre Iguodala had 18 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Samuel Dalembert tallied 17 points and 11 boards and Elton Brand chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Rodney Stuckey, Detroit ? 20.1

Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia ? 20.1

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia ? 16.6

Jonas Jerebko, Detroit ? 13.3

- Golden State 105, New Jersey 89

Team FIC Differential: Warriors +38.8, Nets -38.8

The Golden State Warriors (7-14) outscored the New Jersey Nets (2-20) by 17 points in the second quarter en route to a dominant victory. Monta Ellis led with 18 points and eight assists, Mikki Moore tallied 16 points and seven boards and Corey Maggette added 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Golden State shot 49% and forced 22 turnovers. Brook Lopez had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Courtney Lee posted 15 points and eight boards and Devin Harris scored 19 points on 4-for-11 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Anthony Randolph, Golden State ? 19.1

Courtney Lee, Orlando ? 14.8

Mikki Moore, Golden State ? 14.0

Corey Maggette, Golden State ? 13.8

- Milwaukee 117, Toronto 95

Team FIC Differential: Bucks +34.4, Raptors -34.4

Seven players reached double figures in scoring for the Milwaukee Bucks (10-11) as they defeated the Toronto Raptors (10-14) at the Bradley Center. Brandon Jennings had 22 points and six assists, Ersan Ilyasova posted 17 points and nine rebounds and Carlos Delfino chipped in 14 points and eight boards. Milwaukee drilled 52% of their shots and turned the ball over just nine times. Chris Bosh led with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Jarrett Jack tallied 12 points and seven assists and Sonny Weems scored 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee ? 20.3

Chris Bosh, Toronto ? 16.5

Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee ? 14.3

Roko Ukic, Milwaukee ? 12.5

- New Orleans 97, Minnesota 96

Team FIC Differential: Hornets -8.0, Timberwolves +8.0

Chris Paul made a layup in the final seconds to push the New Orleans Hornets (10-11) past the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-19). Peja Stojakovic scored 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting, Paul tallied 15 points and 14 assists and Marcus Thornton added 20 points in the win. New Orleans went 13-for-25 from beyond the arc and Minnesota won the rebounds battle by a whopping twenty. Al Jefferson had 17 points and 16 rebounds, Kevin Love posted 12 points and 11 boards and Ryan Games contributed 21 points and six rebounds in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Al Jefferson, Minnesota ? 24.5

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans ? 15.9

Kevin Love, Minnesota ? 15.8

Chris Paul, New Orleans ? 13.5

- Houston 95, Cleveland 85

Team FIC Differential:

The Houston Rockets (12-9) jumped out to an early lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-7) on Thursday night and a never really looked back. Aaron Brooks led with 27 points and six assists, Carl Landry posted 14 points and six rebounds and Trevor Ariza put up 26 points and five boards. Cleveland outrebounded Houston by 10, but turned the ball over 20 times. LeBron James starred with 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds, Shaquille O?Neal tallied seven points and 10 boards and Anderson Varejao totaled 10 points and six rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

- San Antonio 118, Sacramento 106

Team FIC Differential:

The San Antonio Spurs (10-9) got a much-needed win against the Sacramento Kings (9-12) at the AT&T Center. Richard Jefferson had 23 points and eight rebounds, Tony Parker tallied 18 points and 11 assists and Manu Ginobili scored 20 points on 5-for-11 shooting off the bench. San Antonio shot 55% and outrebounded Sacramento by three. Omri Casspi had 20 points and seven rebounds, Jason Thompson posted 19 points and nine boards and Tyreke Evans added 19 points and five assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

- L.A. Lakers 101, Utah 77

Team FIC Differential:

The Los Angeles Lakers (17-3) thumped the Utah Jazz (12-9) by holding them to just six points in the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant led with 27 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Pau Gasol posted 19 points and 12 boards and Lamar Odom contributed seven points and 10 rebounds. Los Angeles turned the ball over just nine times and held Utah to 33% shooting. Deron Williams had 17 points and eight assists, Carlos Boozer tallied 11 points and 12 rebounds and Mehmet Okur chipped in 14 points and eight boards for the Jazz.

Game FIC Scores

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Hornets point guard Chris Paul practiced on Thursday and appears to be nearing his return from a severely sprained ankle.

He has been increasing his workouts and practiced for the first time since hurting his left ankle on Nov. 13 in a game against the Trail Blazers.

The Times-Picayune is reporting that Paul could play as soon as Friday night against the Timberwolves.

"I think the best part of it was just actually being back out here," Paul said after the workout. "I did all right. It wasn't the greatest, but I played through some of the pain. We're just going to see."