Chris Paul scored a team-high 22 points with 13 in the pivotal third quarter leading New Orleans Hornets to a 93-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks at New Orleans Arena in New Orleans.
In addition, Paul shot 10 of 17 from the field and had eight assists in the season’s eighteenth victory of New Orleans. David West (18 points), Emeka Okafor (14 points and 15 rebounds), Trevor Ariza (12 points and 10 rebounds), and Jarrett Jack (10 points),
joined Paul in double figures.
"Chris Paul started to take over, scoring and getting guys involved," "and that's where the game separated." - Jamal Crawford said.
Joe Johnson led Atlanta with a game-high 23 points in the defeat. Marvin Williams had 18 and Josh Smith added 10 points and 12 rebounds in season’s 13th defeat of Hawks. Atlanta guard Jamal Crawford was back, after missing the previous five games
with a sore back, he had 10 points off the bench.
First quarter
It was an ugly, but a 7-point win is exactly what Hornets needed.
The first aspect that jumps out is the pace. New Orleans and Atlanta began the game at a crisp pace however, Hawks managed to make it to the free throw line early, to help build a 2-point lead at the end of first quarter, 27-25.
Williams played one of his best in Hornets uniform and lead all scorers with nine points in the opening quarter, helping the Hawks to a 27-25 edge after 12 minutes.
Second quarter
Atlanta extended their lead to the second quarter playing some incredible shots around the court. Johnson scored nine in the second, as the Hawks built a 55-46 lead at the intermission.
Third quarter
In the third quarter, Hornets caught fire and controlled every aspect of this one, limiting turnovers, making shots in the third quarter and playing tenacious defence.
Paul played the game for Hornets in the third and his jumper capped it for a 63-59 edge with less than five minutes left. The Hornets led 74-71 going to the fourth.
"We started the third quarter and we just didn't have any energy," "We came out very lethargic. We stopped running, we stopped pushing the basketball for easy transition points, and we started settling for jump shots," Hawks coach Larry Drew said.
Fourth quarter
With 7:08 remaining, a three-pointer by Mike Bibby gave the Hawks an 81-80 edge. However, a lay-up shot by West provided the Hornets with an 84-81 edge. Paul then sank a fade away jumper with just 38 seconds left to seal the victory at home court.
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