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Sizzling Hornets duel Warriors

Apr 3, 2009 - 4:07 AM By Matt Beardmore Stats Writer

New Orleans (47-27) at Golden State (26-49), 10:30 p.m EDT

OAKLAND, California (AP) -- The New Orleans Hornets continue to climb the Western Conference standings. Another win over a non-playoff team will help that surge.

The Hornets can maintain their push toward the No. 2 seed and clinch a second consecutive playoff berth with a victory Friday night against a Golden State Warriors team that's played far better at home than on the road this season.

New Orleans (47-27), trailing Houston by one-half game and San Antonio by one game for the Southwest Division lead, looks to close its three-game trip with its seventh win in nine contests.

"We understand that the only way we can move up is if we win," Chris Paul said.

Last week, though, consecutive losses to Denver and New York left New Orleans in seventh place in the West. The Hornets, though, were losing more than just traction in a crowded West race, they were losing their composure.

"I don't care, we lost the game," Paul said after picking up a technical foul during an exchange with Knicks guard Nate Robinson.

James Posey was ejected in the 103-93 loss to New York on March 27 and was later suspended one game for throwing a ball toward the referee in that defeat. Posey will likely miss his third straight game Friday with a sore left elbow.

New Orleans, however, continues to win without its key offseason acquisition. Tuesday's 111-110 victory over lowly Sacramento preceded Wednesday's 104-98 win over the equally woeful Los Angeles Clippers.

Paul had 30 points and 14 assists against the Clippers as the Hornets shot better than 53.0 percent from the field for the second straight game.

Golden State, meanwhile, is allowing a league-worst 112.9 points per contest.

If Paul can continue his strong play against the Warriors this season - he's averaging 26.3 points, 9.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds in three matchups - the Hornets would likely inch one step closer to their second straight 50-plus win season.

In the teams' last game in Oakland, Paul had 21 points and 11 assists in a 108-103 win on Oct. 29.

Playing with a sore left ankle suffered in Tuesday's victory, David West followed his career high-tying 40-point effort against Sacramento with 19 points against the Clippers.

"It was just painful, but I just can't afford to be out right now because we've got too many guys out right now for me to sit down," said West, who had 24 points and seven rebounds in the Oct. 29 win at Oracle Arena.

West is expected to play Friday, but center Tyson Chandler will not. Chandler has missed the last eight games with a sore left ankle.

Peja Stojakovic has been sidelined 15 games with back spasms. He is questionable for Friday's game.

The Warriors are looking for consecutive wins for the first time since March 11-13. Monta Ellis scored a career-high 42 points Wednesday as Golden State (26-49) snapped a five-game slide with a 143-141 overtime victory over Sacramento.

"We played great basketball, and that's why we won the game," Ellis said after the Warriors won for the 10th time in 15 home games.

Golden State's opponents, however, are shooting 47.6 percent from the field and averaging 117.9 points during this stretch.

Kelenna Azubuike scored a season-high 27 against the Kings. The third-year swingman, averaging 13.8 points, is scoring 17.3 per game on 52.1 percent shooting in his last 11 contests.