Hornets too much for Hawks

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - The Charlotte Hornets aren't paying attention to their ongoing relocation saga. Instead, they're focusing on their own agenda getting center Elden Campbell into the All-Star game.

Campbell had 22 points and 13 rebounds Wednesday night to lead Charlotte to a 111-87 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, the Hornets' first back-to-back home wins since the start of the season.

Campbell is ninth in voting among Eastern Conference centers despite averaging career highs in points (15.3) and rebounds (8.0). The slight has irritated his teammates.

``If anybody deserves it, it's him and I want the entire country to know that,'' guard Baron Davis said. ``He's playing better than any center in this conference, none of them can match up against him right now.''

As for Campbell, who had 21 points and 18 rebounds in Monday's win over Denver, he said he'll understand if he's left of the team again.

``If I make it, then that would be great,'' he said. ``But I understand that it is a fans game and they vote on the players they want to see, not the stats. So if I don't make it, I'll love the time off.''

Charlotte coach Paul Silas isn't buying it, claiming Campbell really does want to make the team and his play is proving it.

``He's developing a swagger,'' Silas said. ``He's showing an attitude of `Give me the ball and I'll show you what I can do.' ''

He did that against the Hawks, shooting 7-of-8 from the field while making all eight of his free throws to lead Charlotte to its first two-game winning streak since Dec. 11-13.

But the victory came amid reports that team owners are close to filing with the NBA for relocation.

Co-owner Ray Wooldridge spent the past two days meeting with New Orleans city officials, saying Wednesday he would have a decision on where the Hornets will play next season by the end of January. Charlotte officials are also working on a proposal to keep the team here.

Davis, who had 20 points and 11 assists, said he has stopped paying attention to the saga.

``Don't know, don't care. Just tell me where we're going so I know where to buy my house,'' he said.

The Hornets have the worst attendance mark in the NBA, which some players have pointed to as the reason for their poor play at home. A crowd of 10,476 turned out to watch the Hornets avenge one of their most frustrating losses of the season.

Atlanta snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 101-88 win over the Hornets on Dec. 22. But the Hawks never had a chance in this one, falling behind after the opening tip as the Hornets built a 28-point lead in the second quarter behind 64 percent shooting.

Charlotte cooled off in the third quarter, but never enough to allow the Hawks to get back in the game. The Hornets shot 51 percent from the field, made 4-of-7 3-pointers and outrebounded the Hawks 58-41.

``There's not many positives we can take from tonight,'' Atlanta coach Lon Kruger said. ``Charlotte jumped on us early and got us on our heels. They hurt us on the boards, in transition and they got to ball to Elden and we didn't have an answer for him.''

Shareef Abdur-Rahim led Atlanta with 20 points. Jason Terry scored 13 and Emanual Davis and Toni Kukoc scored 11 each.

Notes: Hornets forward Lee Nailon was named to the Rookie Challenge, which will be played during the All-Star game festivities. Nailon will play on the squad of second-year players against a team of rookies. ... The Hornets had nine blocked shots in the first half, while Atlanta had none. ... Hornets starting guard David Wesley missed his first seven shots. He finished 4-for-13 and scored nine points.