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Paul, Hornets overcoming Spurs' playoff experience

May 8, 2008 - 5:48 PM New Orleans at San Antonio 9:30 pm EDT Western Conference semifinals Hornets lead, 2-0

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Chris Paul is proving youth and athleticism can overcome a wealth of playoff experience.

Paul and the second-seeded New Orleans Hornets try to take a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the Western Conference semifinals when they visit the third-seeded San Antonio Spurs for Game Three on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Paul had 30 points and 12 assists to lead the Hornets to a 102-84 victory in Game Two on Monday. It was his fifth double-double already this postseason.

The Hornets point guard is averaging 23.5 points and 12.5 assists through the first two games and has easily gotten into the lane to create for himself and for his teammates, carving up the normally stout San Antonio defense at will.

"After Game One, coach told me I was going to have to be more aggressive, so I just tried to pick my spots and get everybody involved and score - and that left me open," Paul said.

Paul's production has put the Spurs in an 0-2 hole for the first time since 2001 when they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals.

Despite leading at halftime for the second straight game, San Antonio, which has won four NBA titles in the last nine seasons, struggled once again in the third quarter as it was outscored, 36-18.

"They came out and sustained their energy really well in the second half," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "In some ways it's the difference of the game (making) you a winner or loser. In general, I thought this team got stronger in the second half and I thought we went the opposite way."

The Spurs aren't panicking yet, but they'll have to continue their success at home where they are 37-7 this season, including the playoffs.

"It's always a worry when you're down two, no matter what it is," Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. "Obviously, the goal is to get four games and they're a lot closer than we are. So, it's about going home and trying to get this first one."