Chris Paul returns to haunt his old building as Los Angeles Clippers stay in race for top seed in the Pacific Division after defeating New Orleans Hornets
The Los Angeles Clippers came from behind to defeat the New Orleans Hornets 107-98 here at the Staples Center. The Clippers are now 8-2 in their last 10 games after this win.
Chris Paul had a game high 33 points to go with his 13 assists and 8 steals, as he led the Clippers to victory. Eric Gordon also playing against his former club had 17 points to lead the Hornets scoring. With the win, the Clippers still remain in contention of clinching the Pacific division title for the season. They are currently one win behind the top seed of the Pacific, the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Our effort, our energy, our attitude and our intensity were not good for about 40 minutes and then in the last eight minutes or so, Reggie {Evans] came in and gave us a huge boost, Eric Bledsoe picked it up and Randy Foye made some huge shots. Obviously, Chris [Paul] was all over the place and causing havoc” said Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro after the game.
The Clippers led 57-52 at halftime, but the Hornets came out charging in the 3rd period. The closed the period with a 12-4 run to open up an 84-74 lead. The Hornets outscored the Clippers 32-17 in the 3rd quarter.
However, the Clippers were the one that brought the offense to the Hornets in the final period. The Hornets scored the first three points of the final quarter to lead by 13. The Clippers then went on a 16-4 run, capped off by back-to-back three pointers by Randy Foye to close within one, 90-91, of the Hornets with 4:05 left in the game.
Foye was hot from the distance for the night, going 6 of 12 in the game and including 3 of 4 in the final period. 3 free throws by Paul followed by another 3 point shot by Foye had the Clippers up by 98-93. A strong dunk by Blake Griffin was the final nail in the coffin for the Hornets as the Clippers took a 100-95 lead that they held on to till the end of the game. Clippers eventually won 107-98.
Chris Paul had an MVP night, scoring 33 points to go with 13 assists and an amazing 8 steals. Randy Foye added 24 points and Blake Griffin had 21 points from 7 of 10 shooting to go with his 15 rebounds. Al Farouq Aminu had 14 points and 8 rebounds while Jason Smith added 13 points for the Hornets.
The Hornets shot better from the field than the Clippers at 49.3%. both teams were a meagre 25% from the distance. The Clippers managed 43 free throws for the night, out of which they sunk 34. This gave them a 9 point advantage over the Hornets in free throws. The Clippers had 13 steals for the game on the back of Paul, compared to 6 for the Hornets.
Mo Williams was cold for the night for the Clippers, going 3 of 13 from the field, including 0 of 5 from the distance. Marco Belinelli was the same for the Hornets, going 1 of 8 from the field including 0 of 3 from the distance for his 3 points.
Tags: