Paul Just Misses Triple-Double As Hornets Swarm Nuggets 117-93

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

If you are a regular reader of mine, you know that I have been singing the praises of New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul since his college days at Wake Forest. It is nice to see the rest of “NBA Nation” is finally giving him the recognition that he so richly deserves. Paul had another incredible night, Monday night as he missed a triple-double by just one rebound, scoring 23 points, 17 assists, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and led the Hornets to a 117-93 pasting of the Denver Nuggets. The Hornets have won their last 9 games in a row, and lead the NBA Southwest Division by 1 game over the Dallas Mavericks.

To say that Paul is having a breakout season, maybe the understatement of the Millennium. If he is not chosen as a reserve to the?NBA Western Conference All-Star team, it will be a major miscarriage of justice. Paul has been the heart, soul and life-force of one of the most pleasant surprises of the NBA campaign. The Hornets have the best record in the Western Conference, and are second only to the Boston Celtics. And Paul is the defining force, behind the Hornets.

New Orleans jumped out to a 33-22 lead at the end of the first quarter, and had a 63-40 advantage as the two teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half. The Hornets had a 87-68 lead going into the final quarter, and then outscored the Nuggets 30-25 in the final quarter.

Paul shot 7-20 from the floor, 1-2 from outside the arc, 8-8 from the?line for his 23 points. Peja Stojakovic scored 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, Melvin Ely came off the bench scoring 16 points, 9 boards, 1 assist. David West scored 13 points, 9 rebounds, Jannero Pargo also scored 13 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Center Tyson Chandler had another double-double, 10 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.

Allen Iverson shot 8-16 including 1 trey, and went 6-6 from the line for 23 points, 3 steals, 3 assists, 1 rebound. K-Mart Kenyon Martin scored 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, Linas Kleiza scored 14 points, 3 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds. J.R. Smith scored 14 points, 3 boards in the loss. New Orleans now has a record of 32-12,?Denver is now 26-18.

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