Final
Hornets get back on track against Clippers
Jan 3, 2008 - 6:35 AM By John Reger PA SportsTicker Contributing WriterLOS ANGELES (Ticker) --The New Orleans Hornets bounced back from their first defeat in six games, claiming a 95-81 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
The Hornets were led by David West, who converted his first five field goals to begin the game, finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
"I'm getting good looks at the basket," West said. "I am starting inside and working my way out, which is allowing me to get into a rhythm and guys are doing a great job finding me."
West was just one of three Hornets that logged a double-double against the Clippers. Center Tyson Chandler scored 14 points and had 15 rebounds and guard Chris Paul contributed 16 and 13 assists.
The Clippers were down by as many as 13 in the first half before they went on an 11-0 run before halftime to tie the score, 41-41, entering the locker room.
Los Angeles held a 47-45 lead early in the third quarter, but three consecutive 3-pointers by forward Peja Stojakovic started rally by the Hornets. Before the streak, Stojakovic was just 1-of-8 from the field - including 0-of-4 from the arc.
"I'm not the kind of guy I am going to get down and not take anymore shots," Stojakovic said. "I am just going to keep playing the game and give myself a chance. I have that kind of mentality. The first half I didn't have a good grip. I felt like the ball was going to slip out of my hand, but I kept shooting."
Stojakovic's outburst sparked a 24-5 run in the third quarter that gave the Hornets a 14-point lead as they outscored the Clippers, 30-16, in the period.
"I think personally we don't do a good job of making each other better," Los Angeles guard Cuttino Mobley said. "Good teams make each other better."
Chandler won the anticipated matchup between him and Chris Kaman, limiting the Clippers center to just nine points on 1-of-10 shooting and 11 rebounds - well below his season averages of 18.3 points and 14.1 rebounds.
"They did some different things I haven't seen this season," Kaman said. "Every time I got the ball there was two and three guys around me."
Corey Maggette scored 20 points to lead the Clippers, who suffered their seventh loss in their last eight games.
- NBA
NEW ORLEANS 95
LA CLIPPERS 81 FINAL
Jan 3 12:49 AM - NBA
NEW ORLEANS 71
LA CLIPPERS 58 END, 3RD QTR
Jan 3 12:16 AM - NBA
NEW ORLEANS 41
LA CLIPPERS 41 HALFTIME
Jan 2 11:33 PM - NBA
NEW ORLEANS 23
LA CLIPPERS 16 END, 1ST QTR
Jan 2 11:03 PM
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