Friday, November 3, 2006; E04

Peja Stojakovic could receive a rude reception tonight when he returns to Conseco Fieldhouse as a member of the Hornets.

Stojakovic joined the Pacers halfway through last season in a trade that sent Ron Artest to Sacramento. Stojakovic averaged 19.5 points in 40 games before missing four of Indiana's six playoff games against the Nets with a knee injury.

Stojakovic opted out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers to become a free agent, then signed a five-year, $64 million deal with the Hornets in July after his agent said the forward wanted to finish his career in Indiana.

Pacers G Stephen Jackson , who is used to hostile crowds home and away, said he's not sure what Stojakovic should expect from the fans.

"He definitely has my respect," Jackson said. "It's just going to be good to compete against him and see how the crowd reacts when he comes back."

Stojakovic said he enjoyed his time in Indiana but he's looking to the future.

"I had a good four months here and I met great people here in this organization and I'm moving forward," he said.

· BOBCATS: Charlotte F Gerald Wallace went through a full practice yesterday, a day after he was injured in the team's season-opening loss to Indiana.

Wallace, who worked with the first unit, did not have a concussion and is expected to play tonight in Memphis.

"I think their main focus was how my head was feeling," Wallace said. "They just wanted to make sure I didn't have a concussion or brain damage or anything. They said as long as that was fine, I was good to go." . . .

Charlotte assistant coach John-Blair Bickerstaff pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

Bickerstaff, the son of Bobcats Coach-GM Bernie Bickerstaff , was given a suspended sentence on Wednesday in Mecklenburg District Court and ordered to complete 24 hours of community service for his July 19 arrest.

-- From News Services