Sun Apr 6 16:06:53 2008

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Paul's big day propels Hornets past Warriors

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New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Chris Paul compiled the fourth triple- double of his career, scoring 16 points with 13 assists and 10 rebounds, as the New Orleans Hornets extended their advantage for the top spot in the Western Conference with a 108-96 whipping of the Golden State Warriors, who continue to struggle in the fight for their postseason lives.

With their franchise record-tying 54th win of the campaign, the Hornets climbed two games ahead of San Antonio and the LA Lakers for the No. 1 seed in the West, while the Warriors slipped a half-game behind Denver for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Nuggets travel to Seattle tonight to tangle with the struggling Sonics. Meanwhile, the Spurs play in Portland on Sunday and the Lakers visit Sacramento.

David West poured in 25 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the field and pulled down nine boards for New Orleans, which has won five consecutive games overall and 11 straight at New Orleans Arena. Peja Stojakovic also added 25 points, and Jannero Pargo provided 15 points while dishing out seven assists. Tyson Chandler chipped in with 11 points and 12 rebounds, as the Hornets won the season series with the Warriors, 2-1, snapping a two-game home skid against Golden State.

Monta Ellis exploded for 35 points, 10 boards and four steals for the Warriors, connecting on 17-of-26 field goals, but it was not enough for the squad to avoid dropping its third game in the last four outings. Andris Biedrins contributed 17 points and hauled in 15 rebounds, and Baron Davis donated 17 points and eight assists. Al Harrington tallied 16 points and eight boards for the top offense in the NBA, which entered at 110.6 points per game, but has failed to eclipse the 100-point mark in three of the last four affairs.

The Warriors pulled even in the fourth, as an Ellis jam with 8:06 remaining capped a 12-2 burst and knotted the tilt at 90-90.

But the Hornets had an answer, and this one put the game well out of reach. West netted seven points to highlight a 15-2 flurry, and by the time Stojakovic sealed the surge with 3:45 to play, New Orleans had catapulted to a 105-92 advantage.

The Warriors never came closer than 11 down the stretch.

Golden State ripped off an 11-0 run to carry a 31-22 cushion into the second session.

The Warriors lost their handle on the lead in the second, as the Hornets used scoring streaks of 13-2 and 18-5 to overtake the advantage.

With time winding down, Paul found Stojakovic all alone on the right wing, and he buried a three as the buzzer sounded, sending New Orleans into the locker room ahead 59-51.

Golden State stormed back after the intermission, and when Ellis connected on a layup just past the midway mark of the third, the affair was deadlocked at 69-69.

However, the Hornets responded with a 9-0 spurt to jump back on top, and West nailed a layup with four seconds on the clock to give New Orleans an 88-78 lead moving into the final frame.

Game Notes

Golden State slipped to 46-31, while New Orleans improved to 54-22...The Warriors fell to 21-19 as the guest. They will head back to the Bay Area for a three-game homestand, with visits from Sacramento, Denver and the Clippers...The Hornets climbed to 29-10 at New Orleans Arena. They next host Utah on Tuesday...Recently retired professional wrestling legend Ric Flair introduced the starting lineups...Paul also swiped five steals as part of his do-it-all day for New Orleans...Golden State's Stephen Jackson was held to just six points, though he did distribute eight assists...The Warriors were limited to merely 3-of-29 shooting from beyond the arc (10.3 percent), while the Hornets knocked down 9-of-23 from long-range (39.1 percent).