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Hornets outlast slumping Pistons

Feb 26, 2009 - 7:15 AM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- David West scored 30 points and came up with a huge offensive rebound in the closing seconds to lead the New Orleans Hornets to a 90-87 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

Chris Paul added 20 points and 13 assists for the Hornets, who have won two straight.

Richard Hamilton scored 24 points off the bench for Detroit, which has lost eight straight.

After Paul missed a floater in the lane, West grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled with 6.7 seconds to play. He made both free throws to put the Hornets up, 90-87.

Detroit had one last chance to end its skid and Hamilton took the inbounds pass above the arc at the top of the key. He was picked up by West and instead of forcing up a shot over the 6-9 forward, he passed to reserve Walter Herrmann, who launched a deep three from the right wing that bounced off the rim just before time expired.

"I was going nuts at D West because there were other possessions when Jason Maxiell was getting those offensive rebounds," Paul said. "But D West had the two biggest rebounds of the game, because that made it a three-point game instead of a one-point game."

Hamilton did little to hide his frustration with the team's losing streak or the Pistons' slow start as the Hornets held a 22-13 lead after the first quarter.

"The way we have been starting, that's what MC (Michael Curry) wants," Hamilton said. "I said I'll come off the bench as long as we win. But we've been losing. I think we're 4-12 with me coming off the bench. So something's got to give, something's got to change. I'm all for it doing whatever for the team - but coming off the bench and we're not winning, that's something totally different."

Rasheed Wallace scored 16 points and Antonio McDyess added 15 for Detroit, which is on its longest losing streak since it dropped eight straight from December 21, 1994-January 8, 1995.

Detroit nearly ended its slide despite playing without Allen Iverson for most of the game and Wallace for over half of the fourth.

Iverson aggravated a back strain he suffered Tuesday in Miami. He started and scored two points on 1-of-4 shooting before leaving late in the first quarter. Wallace was ejected with 7:55 left in the fourth quarter after picking up two technical fouls in a span of 27 seconds.

"We got unraveled a little but, but still we have to keep our composure as a team," Detroit coach Michael Curry said. "Those two technicals and throwing Rasheed out hurt. I was disappointed (by the second technical and the ejection). I tried to get him out before he got (the second technical). He's an emotional guy, but I was proud of the way he played tonight."