AP Source: Hornets Interview Fratello

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

A person familiar with the meeting says the New Orleans Hornets have interviewed Mike Fratello, the third candidate to meet with the club about its vacant head coaching job.

Hornets executives met with Fratello in Cleveland on Wednesday, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club has not officially announced interviewing Fratello.

Fratello has coached the equivalent of about 15 seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies. His last coaching stint was in Memphis from 2004 to 2006.

On Tuesday, Hornets executives were in Texas interviewing former Dallas coach Avery Johnson and current Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey.

Playoff Game #2: Hawks at Cavs

Really, do the Hawks stand a chance? In this series, all you need to say is LeBron. Still, it is time to evaluate the Hawks to see if they can pull one win in this series.

Hawks won 19 games less than the Cavs during the regular season. They are without their top rebounder from the regular season, which, if they are to upset the Cavs on any level, it would take a step up on defense and key offensive awareness. Joe Johnson is the teams leading scorer and also leads the team with 5.8 assists in the regular season. Josh Smith will have to step up his rebounding if the Hawks are going to complete.

Case in point, the Hawks just aren't going to match up against the Cavs.

Forecast: It would simply be foolish to pick the Hawks in any game in this series, unless they start showing up gumph and gusto. Cavs win this one, 112-81.

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Game 19: Mavs vs. Hawks

The Hawks are for real. They come into this game on the tail-end of back-to-back games, so fatigue could be a factor for them in how they play the Mavericks. They played the first game against the Knicks in Atlanta. They currently have a 11-6 record going into the Knicks game and average higher points, just about even on the boards and slightly better on assists against their opponents. They opened the season 6-0 before dropping four in a row. Since then, there has been no sign of consistency in winning or losing (for that matter).

Dallas Maverick Player Stats 08-09

Name	Dirk Nowitzki	Josh Howard	Jason Terry	Jason Kidd
Points Per Game	25.1	20.3	20.3	9.3
Rebounds Per Game	8.9	8.2	2.4	7.1
Assists Per Game	2.3	1.6	3.9	8.5
Blocks Per Game	0.8	0.7	0.3	0.6

This game against the Hawks will see how Dirk rebounds after a great game in which he scored 39 points. My question is can the guy put together two stellar games in a row, in which just about anything he throws up goes in? Dirk generally isn't that type of player who consistently will put up those types of numbers day in and day out... but I would sure like to see him do it. He hasn't really been talked about in when MVP is mentioned. Maybe that will come a little later in the season as things progress.

Atlanta Hawks Player Stats 08-09

Name	Joe Johnson	Mike Bibby	Marvin Williams	Josh Smith
Points Per Game	22.9	16.2	14.3	12.4
Rebounds Per Game	4.6	2.9	6.1	7.6
Assists Per Game	5.3	4.8	2.0	2.0
Blocks Per Game	0.5	0.1	0.6	2.2

Still not sure when Josh Howard will return. I really hope it is sooner than later.

Forecast: I like the Mavericks in this game for two reasons. The Mavericks are playing very well and the Hawks are playing the second game of back-to-backs... which generally spells out a lose for the team, especially when they are playing a quality team. If the Hawks take a strong lead early against the Knicks, then they could rest players and play better against the Mavericks, which could make a difference, but we still go back to the other reason why I like the Mavs in this one... they are playing hot. Score: 102-94, Dallas.

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