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West's 40-point outburst helps Hornets edge Grizzlies

Nov 17, 2007 - 6:51 AM By Shawn Pachucki PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - David West's career best came in impressive fashion.

West scored a career-high 40 points and hit the go-ahead basket with eight seconds left as the New Orleans Hornets held on for a 120-118 overtime triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

At 6-9, West continues to be the main source of offense in his fifth season, connecting on 17-of-29 shots and making 6-of-8 free throws. His previous career high was a 34-point effort against Portland earlier this season.

Star guard Chris Paul also was huge, contributing 28 points, 13 assists and five steals for a Hornets team that is off to its best start in franchise history at 8-2.

After West's 13-foot jumper tied the game at 116-116, Pau Gasol answered with a runner in the lane with 3:29 remaining in OT. But West locked things up again on the ensuing possession with a turnaround jumper.

With both teams struggling to make a basket over the next two minutes, the Hornets went to West again and he delivered. With Gasol in his face, West nailed a fadeaway just before the shot clock sounded to take the lead for good.

"I knew guys were going to keep giving it to me," West said. "I just wanted to be aggressive from the beginning."

The Grizzlies had a chance to answer, but Rudy Gay came up short on an 11-footer in the waning seconds.

"I tried to find a mismatch, but they played good defense," Gay said. "I got forced into a tough shot and didn't make it."

In regulation, Juan Carlos Navarro hit a 3-pointer and Gay nailed two long-range shots between a pair of free throws from Peja Stojakovic and Paul to tie the game at 114-114.

It's the second game in a row that came down to the last shot for the Grizzlies. On Wednesday, Gasol's desperation 3-pointer rimmed out with time expiring as they fell by three on the road to the Milwaukee Bucks.

"We are learning what it takes to become a good basketball team," Grizzlies coach Mark Iavaroni said. "Unfortunately, we're facing some losses, some tough losses."

"When it's close losses, it's a couple of things, the little things, the loose balls, the long rebounds - stuff like that," Gay said.

West sizzled early, hitting for nine of his 21 first half points in the opening quarter. He went 10-of-13 and was one of three New Orleans players to reach double figures before the break.

"In the first half, he was hitting everything," New Orleans coach Byron Scott said. "He made some big-time shots and took it home for us on both ends."

Stojakovic scored 17 points and Tyson Chandler had 12, 17 rebounds and four blocks for New Orleans, which has gotten off to its best start in franchise history at 8-2.

Navarro scored a season-best 28 points and tied the NBA's rookie record with eight three-pointers in a game. Gay and Gasol each scored 20 points.