With All-Star candidate Jamal Mashburn?s return to the lineup this season uncertain at best, the Charlotte Hornets have sought an alternative to making up for his absence.

In a word, it?s balance.

As the Hornets enter tonight?s 7:30 home game against Boston, they?re coming off their first game with six double-figure scorers of the season.

That performance came in possibly the year?s most impressive victory, a 104-90 thrashing of the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night that included a 40-point first quarter.

"We?re just moving the ball well," said Elden Campbell, who scored 18 points in the victory. "We?ve stopped watching anymore and we?re getting everybody involved."

To be sure, the loss of Mashburn has signalled a change in the Hornets? offense not seen since before Larry Johnson was a rookie in 1991.

Since then, Johnson, Anthony Mason or Mashburn have played forwards who have been central figures in running the team?s offense.