The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have hired Paul Mott as the team's president.

In his new role, Mott will oversee all business aspects of the franchise, including strategic planning, business development, sales, marketing and branding and day-to-day operations.  He will begin with the team after relocating from New York with his wife.

"This hire will help us become a premiere franchise in the National Basketball Association," said Hornets Owner George Shinn.  "Paul's remarkable experience in professional sports and the leadership skills he has exhibited throughout his career as an executive, an educator and a coach will help us enhance the position of our organization both locally and nationally.  I believe I hired the best coach in Byron Scott, and now I've added the best front office executive in Paul Mott.

The Hornets just won the tie-breaker over the Charlotte Bobcats in regard to the NBA Draft Lottery and NBA Draft. This was conducted today by the NBA since New Orleans and Charlotte had identical records.

The results of the tie-breaker mean that the Hornets cannot pick any lower than fifth in the NBA Draft and we will have 178 chances out of 1000 to get the number one pick. Charlotte will have 177 chances.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that hundreds of tickets were charged to Hornets' owner George Shinn's charity account on March 9 for $5 apiece, and those same tickets were resold at full price -- up to $41 -- for the sold-out April 2 home game against Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat.

"If we have fans who want to buy tickets to a game, we want to take care of them," Tim McDougall, the Hornets chief marketing officer, said Friday. "That was our interest during the Heat game and we're always going to do that. The people who support us, that's the reason we're in business. So if that means we move the tickets from a charity account, then we're going to do that."

Ray Allen scored 32 points as Seattle (51-28) snapped a six-game losing streak. Immediately after the game ended, the Sonics unveiled the Northwest Division banner in the rafters of KeyArena. It's the first division title for Seattle since winning the Pacific Division in 1998.

The Sonics were in the lottery the last two seasons.

"A lot of people doubted the team this year and that was OK. We went out and played the game the right way all season long," McMillan said. "And they finished this last home game the right way."

"Being an All-Star doesn't mean anything, it's so individual and you really can't celebrate," Allen said. "But when you win the division, the conference or a championship, words can't describe it."

J.R. Smith scored an impressive 23 points, giving the Suns a very difficult game, but Phoenix outscored the Hornets 26-12 in the 4th quarter to record their 59th win.

"I think we're a tired team, and we certainly didn't get up for this game," Steve Nash said. "It was a difficult game, and they came out and did a good job. Fortunately, we're more talented."

Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Suns.

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have placed guard Speedy Claxton on the Injured List with a strained right groin and have activated forward/center Marciej Lampe.

Claxton, who also missed Wednesday's game vs. Denver, has averaged 6.8 points, 5.5 assists and 1.38 steals in 16 games with the Hornets this season.

Lampe had missed the last seven games after being placed on the Injured List Mar. 25 with lower back spasms.  He has averaged 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13 games with the Hornets this season.

In other Hornets injury news, Jamaal Magloire (back spasms) and Chris Andersen (sprained right ankle) will both miss tonight's game vs. Utah. Magloire missed 51 games (48 on the Injured List) with a fractured right ring finger while Andersen missed six games (five on the Injured List) with an infected right elbow earlier this season.

Chris Andersen, who suffered a sprained right ankle in the fourth quarter of last night's game vs. Denver, will be listed as questionable for Friday night's game vs. Utah at the New Orleans Arena.

The Hawks this afternoon placed Al Harrington on the injured list, according to Executive VP/General Manager Billy Knight.  Harrington, who missed the Hawks' recent home game against New Orleans, is suffering from right knee tendonitis, which will cause him to miss at least five games of action.  

The team activated center Michael Stewart to replace Harrington on the active roster.

Hawks forward Al Harrington will not play in tonight's game against the Hornets because of tendinitis in his right knee.  

Tom Gugliotta will replace him in the starting lineup.

Once again, we will see Robinson embroidered on the back of Spurs a jersey. No, not that Robinson; Glenn ?Big Dog? Robinson was officially signed to a free-agent contract after being cut by the New Orleans Hornets.

The team could certainly use some additional firepower while Tim Duncan is out recuperating from his latest ankle injury. And if there?s one thing Big Dog can do, it?s score. He boasts career averages of twenty points per game and six rebounds per game. His midrange jump shot, when it?s on, is one of the best in the league.

The details of the contract have yet to be disclosed.