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West, Chandler dominate interior as Hornets outlast Bucks

Feb 9, 2007 - 5:27 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- David West and Tyson Chandler made sure the New Orleans Hornets had plenty of chances to beat the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks.

West scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds and Chandler added 11 points and tied a career best with 22 boards as the Hornets dominated the glass en route to a 109-101 double-overtime victory over the Bucks.

Desmond Mason scored 24 points for the Hornets, who handed the Bucks their 14th loss in the 17 games that star guard Michael Redd has missed with a knee injury.

A game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Miami, Redd could not get loose before that contest and did not travel with the team two nights later.

"He is still at home getting rehab, and we will see how he feels (Friday)," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said.

Despite the Bucks not having Redd, the Hornets had to gut out the victory after posting an overtime victory at Denver just one night earlier.

"We got in late (Thursday morning), about 2 a.m.," West said. "You feel it in your legs, but you know in the back of our heads that we will have a light day on Friday and get ready to run against Memphis on Saturday night."

West and Chandler crashed the boards all night for the Hornets, who could not find the range from the field but held a remarkable 71-49 advantage on the glass. Corralling 18 offensive rebounds, the duo kept New Orleans in the game with relentless energy.

"That's huge, Tyson gives us that type of effort every night, West gives us that every night," Hornets guard Chris Paul said. "It was nice to see them have that big of a night on the same night. Tyson getting 22 rebounds, West getting 19, that's huge. As long as those guys keep putting up nights like that, I like our chances."

Combining numerous post moves with follow shots, West and Chandler shot a combined 12-of-25 from the floor. Mason was 11-of-24 from the field for the Hornets, who shot 37 percent (39-of-105).

"We fought. That's the biggest thing," West said. "I am glad we were able to pull it out. We weren't in sync in the fourth quarter. We stayed scrappy and got some stops, but we knew that if we kept attacking, we would eventually be able to pull it out."

The Hornets outscored the Bucks, 12-4, in the second extra period but would have lost in regulation if not for the heroics of Paul, who scored six points in the last 15 seconds, including an acrobatic layup to tie the game, 90-90, with nine-tenths remaining.

"Chris did what he does best, keep attacking and get to the rim, but also keep in control of the game," West said. "I think he did a good job of limiting (Bucks guard Earl) Boykins and keeping everyone involved on the offensive end. As long as he is on the floor, I am not worried about our team."

Paul scored 14 points on just 3-of-17 shooting but came up big when it mattered most. However, Boykins opened the door for the Hornets by missing a free throw to set up Paul's tying shot.

"I think we just capitalized," Paul said. "They gave us a great opportunity. If they hit both free throws at the end, we have to take a three instead of a two and then we might not win this game. I was just looking to be aggressive and get to the basket and try to get us back in the game."

Mo Williams had 30 points and Ruben Patterson scored 28 points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds for Milwaukee, which shot 42 percent (40-of-95) to absorb its fifth loss in six games.

"The whole team played hard," Stotts said. "Ruben played hard, Mo fought through a cold and gave us a great night. (They) both played almost 50 minutes, but we hurt ourselves when it counted."