(Best E Casino) - The New Orleans Hornets are off to a great start this season and will try to get back on the winning track when they host the Indiana Pacers tonight at New Orleans Arena.

New Orleans concludes a brief two-game homestand. On Monday, All-Star Dwight Howard scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the red-hot Orlando Magic over the Hornets, 95-88, at New Orleans Arena.

Peja Stojakovic finished with 21 points and Jannero Pargo had 18 points and seven assists in the loss for the Hornets, who had a five-game winning streak halted. David West tallied 14 points in defeat.

Already without starting point guard Chris Paul due to an ankle injury, the Hornets lost big man Tyson Chandler in the second quarter against Orlando when he landed awkwardly on his right leg. Chandler needed to be helped off the floor and to the locker room with a hyper-extended knee.

Paul and Chandler are both questionable for tonight's contest. The multi- talented Paul, who is averaging 19.5 points and a team-best 10.8 assists per game, has missed two straight games.

The Hornets are 3-2 at home this season. After tonight's contest, they will embark on a two-game road trip. New Orleans will visit the Utah Jazz on Friday at EnergySolutions Arena and the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday at the Staples Center.

Indiana tries to get back on the winning track this evening. Superstar Kobe Bryant poured in 32 points as the surging Los Angeles Lakers downed the Pacers, 134-114, at Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Shawne Williams scored a career-high 24 points in the loss for Indiana, while Danny Granger had 17 points and six boards. Jamaal Tinsley contributed 10 points and 10 assists for the Pacers, who have dropped seven of their last eight games overall.

The Pacers are 1-3 on the road this season. They are scheduled to host reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Last season, the Hornets and Pacers split a pair of meetings. The Pacers have won two in a row at the Hornets.