Pelicans 85 - 97 Clippers
Final
  for this game

Paul burns former team as Clippers top Hornets

Mar 27, 2012 - 6:04 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul had game- highs of 25 points and 10 assists against his former team, the New Orleans Hornets, en route to a 97-85 win on Monday.

Paul and the Clippers fell in the Big Easy on Thursday, marking their third straight loss, but bounced back with a victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday. They got 20 points from Blake Griffin and 17 from Nick Young in Monday's win.

"I could care less who the opponent was, we needed this win," said Paul. "It's not about who we are playing against, I am far past that. It is about us getting wins right now."

Al-Farouq Aminu had a season-high 15 points to pace the Hornets, who have dropped two straight since Thursday's win. Carl Landry added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"You're not going to be anybody with 29 turnovers," said New Orleans coach Monty Williams. "They pushed our guys around a little bit tonight."

The Clippers never trailed after jumping out to 18-2 lead. DeAndre Jordan scored seven points to spark the opening run.

New Orleans battled back, making 27-20 at the end of the first and pulling even at 28 early in the second on a layup from Xavier Henry.

It was 49-38 in favor of Los Angeles at the break and 57-50 in the third when Paul made a three-pointer and a short jumper in succession. Caron Butler and Griffin followed with layups, pushing the advantage to 16.

Griffin scored five points early in the fourth before the Clippers' bench spelled the starters and stretched the margin to 27 in the closing minutes.

Game Notes

Paul, a five-time All-Star, was drafted by the Hornets with the fourth overall pick in 2005...The Hornets had won two straight and 16 of 17 against the Clippers prior to Monday.






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