Notes after the jump...
Marcus Thornton? The one, probably not the only. But he is playing like a one-of-a-kind second rounder so far. Guard and 43rd overall pick Marcus Thornton is averaging a silly 13.0 points in just 18.4 minutes on 46.6 % from the field. Only David West (14.5 ppg) is averaging more among active Hornets.
More perspective: Thornton is averaging 27.8 points / 40 minutes, which is virtually even with Brandon Jennings (28.0 / 40), and that ranks him among the NBA's top 15 scorers per minute. Sure, it's a touch easier to put in points at that rate in fewer minutes, but it's not really easy at all. I assume Bell will try to mark this man.
Injured stars. And it's a mighty good thing that Thornton has stepped up, because Chris Paul remains sidelined with a sprained left ankle. Also still out is Bogut, who is arguably Milwaukee's best player. But Paul isn't arguably the best player on his team, he is far and away the top player on the Hornets, the best point guard in the world, and a top five player overall.
Paul was actually having his best statistical season yet before going down a week and a half ago -- and that is really saying something considering his last couple seasons. Look at this: 23.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 2.1 turnovers on .594/.845/.655. Yes, that's FG%/FT%/3PT%, and no, it doesn't really make sense unless you are Chris Paul. Jennings will have to wait until Feb. 24 for another chance against the best.
A rough road. Homecourt advantage is alive and well in the NBA. Case in point: only two of the fifteen Western Conference teams (Los Angeles 4-5, Minnesota 1-6) have losing home records this season.
The Bucks are getting a dramatic sense of just how much better teams play at home on this road trip; the Spurs entered Monday's matchup 5-2 at home but 0-4 on the road. Now they travel to New Orleans, where the Hornets are the same 5-2... the Hornets are 1-7 on the road.
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