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West helps Hornets end Sonics' three-game winning streak

Feb 24, 2007 - 6:16 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- Tyson Chandler is making an impression.

Chandler scored 15 points and added 19 rebounds and David West had 23 and 11 as the New Orleans Hornets held on for a 98-97 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics, who had their three-game winning streak halted.

Bobby Jackson scored 17 points off the bench and Chris Paul chipped in 13 and five steals for the Hornets, who extended their home winning streak to five games.

Chandler has been impressive this season and Hornets coach Byron Scott can't wait to see more from the 7-footer.

"I didn't think Tyson would be this good this season," Scott said. "I thought it might take some time. He's only begun to scratch the surface of his talent."

Chandler is averaging 12.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

"(Tyson's) got great timing," West said. "He gets to the ball. Seattle didn't have an answer for him."

West sank 1-of-2 free throws and Paul scored on a floater from the lane, giving the Hornets a 98-94 advantage with 38 seconds left in the contest.

But Rashard Lewis responded with a 3-pointer just 11 seconds later, cutting the Sonics' deficit to one.

Seattle had a chance to win after Paul missed a 10-footer, but Ray Allen misfired an off-balance jumper from the left corner as time expired.

"I was very surprised it didn't go in," Allen said. "I had a pretty good look. It was a shot I could make. It's a shot I've made before. I just needed to get it up a little more."

"I knew Ray was going to get the shot," Paul said. "It looked good to me. But I'm pretty happy and thankful he didn't make it."

The Hornets held a 56-42 edge in rebounds - including grabbing 26 offensive boards.

Allen scored 32 points and Lewis contributed 18 and 12 rebounds for the Sonics, who shot 52 percent (38-of-73) from the floor and made 9-of-17 3-pointers.

"Ray was great. We had the situation we wanted," Seattle coach Bob Hill said. "We were right there at the end with one of the best shooters in the league."