The New Orleans Hornets' two-game losing streak came to an end with a 97-78 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden, 16,473 cheering fans witnessing the great comeback of the Hornets.
Prominent Players
Five Hornets players scored in double figures, including a team-high 19 off the bench from Willie Green. Trevor Ariza added 18 points, capped by 7 rebounds. Chris Paul had 16 points and 13 assists for the Hornets.
Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 27 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 14 points, grasped 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
First Quarter
The Trail Blazers hit field goals 68 % in the first quarter, led by eight points from Roy and Aldridge. Portland headed the first with 33 – 26. Portland's biggest lead of the quarter was nine points.
Trevor Ariza leads the Hornets with seven points.
Second Quarter
The Hornets were right back into the game after the first quarter. The Hornets outscored the Trail Blazers 17-2 over the last 7:18 of the second quarter to take a 54-48 lead at halftime.
Trevor Ariza again led the Hornets with 14 points. Portland’s Roy led all scorers with 16 points.
Portland led by nine points, 46-37 with 06:48 to go, before the Hornets went on their run to close the second period at 54 – 48 with the help of a 3-pointer by Ariza.
Third Quarter
Portland missed its last six field goals of the third quarter.
The Hornets limited the Trail Blazers to just 17 points in the third quarter and lead the third by 75-65 heading in to the fourth.
Brandon Roy again leads all scorers with 20 points, while four Hornets players scored points in double figures, led by Trevor Ariza with 18.
Fourth Quarter
New Orleans held Portland to 13 points in the fourth quarter. Roy made a 20-footer to get the Blazers within 79-72 with 8:18 remaining in the game. Portland closed the session with a 19 points lead (97 – 78), led by the 3-pointers
of Matthews (11:42 to go) and Roy (01:22 to go).
Blazers fall short of a ninth victory of the season, while Hornets finally break their two-game losing streak.
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