Slam Dunk Central

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Basketball is a game of scoring spurts and that was never more evident than in New Orleans on Friday night.? The New Orleans Hornets used a dominating 23-0 first quarter run to jump out to a 28-13 lead and never looked back as they defeated the Utah Jazz 110-98 at New Orleans arena.

? The Hornets (39-18) made ten consecutive field goals and scored 14 points off of nine Utah first quarter turnovers as they led by as much as 27 points in front of their home crowd.? Chris Paul had 19 points and 7 assists in the first half as he debuted his new Jordan Brand CP3 shoe and went toe-to-toe against Utah ?s own young, dynamic point guard, Deron Williams. Utah (37-22) made a spirited comeback as they cut New Orleans? prolific lead to 13 points at halftime and eight points after the third quarter. Utah went on a 9-0 run at the end of the second quarter and made up five more points in the third quarter, but the Hornets closed out the fourth quarter in impressive fashion to keep pace in the competitive Western Conference.After a New Orleans timeout with 5:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Jannero Pargo made three consecutive baskets, including a three, to extend a seven-point Hornets lead back into double-digits. Pargo added another three-pointer for good measure and the raucous New Orleans crowd had reason to celebrate.

Paul finished with 24 points, 16 assists, five steals and only turnover while David West poured in 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Hornets.

Williams, Paul?s point guard rival, finished with 22 points and ten assists for Utah . Mehmet Okur added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz.