?????????????????????????????? ? New Orleans Hornets forward David West (30) reacts as he dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats during the second half of their game, played Friday night. New Orleans defeated Charlotte 99-85.

The New Orleans Hornets are silently sneaking up on opponents; their brand of basketball is responsible for their current winning streak.? Luckily for them, their opponent Friday was the Charlotte Bobcats.? The combination of timely shooting and a stifling defense enabled the Hornets to grab the win over the Bobcats 99-85 at Charlotte.

New Orleans got off to a good start, including some alley-oops in building a 23-10 lead while Hornets guard?Chris Paul pushed the ball up the floor at every opportunity.? The Bobcats tied a season low with 14 first-quarter points and fell behind 53-31 when Paul flew past Bobcats guard Raymond Felton and made a 3-point play with 6 seconds left in the half.? The Bobcats would go into the locker room at halftime down by 19 and the fans (they’re human - they’re not masochists) booed them off the floor.

After the Bobcats got to within 11, New Orleans’ David West scored 2 baskets and 2 free throws to end their spurt.? It was all New Orleans from that moment on.??West led all New Orleans scorers with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.? Paul and Tyson Chandler added 17 each, with Paul dishing out 11 assists; Chandler added 17 rebounds.?

Charlotte was led by Jason Richardson with 25 points; Nazr Mohammed added 15 and 14 rebounds, while Gerald Wallace pitched in with 14 with 4 assists and 3 steals.? New Orleans (19-10), winners of 4 straight, hope to continue their streak as they return home to host the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday night; Charlotte (10-17) flies to Florida to take on the Orlando Magic - also on Saturday night.


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