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Hornets buzzing into matchup with Bucks

Mar 13, 2009 - 6:14 AM By Anthony Giornalista Stats Senior Writer

New Orleans (40-23) at Milwaukee (30-37), 8:30 p.m. EDT

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Chris Paul has given the New Orleans Hornets some outstanding individual efforts. His performance against the Milwaukee Bucks last month, though, was somewhat bittersweet.

With yet another triple-double under his belt, Paul looks to lead the Hornets to their seventh straight win over the Bucks on Friday night.

Paul posted his sixth triple-double Wednesday night, compiling 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 109-98 win at Washington.

The fourth-year point guard is averaging 25.5 points, 13.0 assists and 3.5 steals in his last four games.

"He's the guy who makes this thing go," Hornets forward David West said.

Paul has helped New Orleans (40-23) win eight of its last nine. The Hornets, contending for one of the top four spots in the Western Conference, need their star to continue his assertiveness down the stretch.

New Orleans coach Byron Scott "usually looks at me, and says, 'Be more aggressive,' and that's what I try to do," Paul said.

Paul had a season-high 20 assists in a 95-94 win over the Bucks (30-37) on February 27, but he was limited to nine points on 4-for-12 shooting in the only game he has failed to reach double figures in scoring this season.

Tyson Chandler tipped in a missed shot off the backboard with 3.3 seconds left as New Orleans won its sixth straight versus Milwaukee. The Bucks haven't won in this series since a 101-94 victory at home December 23, 2005.

The Hornets held the Bucks to 38.6 percent (34-for-88) shooting in last month's contest. Against the Wizards, New Orleans allowed more than 96 points for the first time in eight games.

The Hornets also reached 100 points for the third time in four contests even though forward Peja Stojakovic missed all of those matchups with back spasms. Stojakovic could be ready For Friday's game or Saturday at Chicago, according to Scott.

The veteran swingman is averaging 13.8 points and 4.4 rebounds.

Milwaukee, clinging to the final playoff spot in the East, continues to play without Michael Redd (knee) and Andrew Bogut (back). The Bucks are 1-1 on a season-high six-game homestand that concludes with matchups against Boston, Orlando and Portland.

"There's a lot of games left, but if we don't turn it up, we're going to be on the outside looking," swingman Charlie Bell said.

The Bucks have dropped eight of 11, including a 120-112 loss to New York on Tuesday night in which they wasted a 32-point effort from Charlie Villanueva.

The fourth-year forward is averaging 25.1 points while making 47.1 percent (32-for-68) of his 3-pointers over his last 11 home games, with the Bucks winning six of those contests.

Villanueva added two steals against New York as Milwaukee forced 22 turnovers, giving it 42 takeaways in its last two games.

New Orleans has committed only 12.6 turnovers a contest and hasn't turned the ball over more than 19 times in a single game all season.