January 25 - The Charlotte Hornets are trying to keep their attention on the court amid numerous distractions.
The Hornets still might go into their Saturday night game against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans a bit rattled -- and not just because they have lost consecutive games.
Charlotte absorbed a 102-97 home defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
Shortly after that, the Pelicans took a 139-126 road loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, allowing 77 points in the second half as a season-best four-game winning streak ended.
"We have to be more consistent with putting together four quarters," said Pelicans coach Willie Green, whose team led by nine points at halftime.