March 8th, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
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We already know what New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul can do, but unless you follow the Hornets, then few people know about rookie Julian Wright.? After tonight, I am sure more people will know about him; the first-year player from Kansas, along with Paul, led the Hornets to a convincing victory over the New Jersey Nets 107-96 Friday night at New Orleans Arena.
New Jersey scored the first eight points of the game and shot 83% in the first 7 1/2 minutes as they took a 20-13 lead; however, the Nets made only 3 of 14 shots to begin the second quarter, allowing the Hornets to climb to within 46-43 at halftime.? Early in the fourth quarter, New Orleans’ Wright made a steal and dunked; Wright then hit a jumper, made another dunk, then made a 3-pointer a few possessions later. giving the Hornets an insurmountable 89-71 lead.
New Orleans was led by Paul with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 16 assists and 3 steals, while Wright scored 20 on 8-of-9 shooting along with 8 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals.? Tyson Chandler added 19 with 10 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot, while Peja Stojakovic chipped in with 15 with 5 rebounds, an assist,?a steal and a blocked shot.
New Jersey’s leading scorer was Richard Jefferson with 27 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, while Vince Carter scored 19 with 3 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals; Devin Harris added 17 with a rebound, 8 assists, 2 steals but 6 turnovers, while Nenad Krstic pitched in with a double-double pouring in 14 with 11 rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot.? New Orleans (42-19) now makes the short trip to Houston to take on the Houston Rockets Saturday, while New Jersey (26-36) also goes to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks – also on Saturday night.
