Hornets Swarm Mavericks Take Game Four 97-84

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS

David West led six Charlotte Hornets players in double figures, the Hornets shot 50% (38-76) from the floor for the game and defeated the Dallas Mavericks Sunday 97-84. It was the first win in Dallas for the Hornets since 1998 when they were still the Charlotte Hornets. It also gave New Orleans a 3-1 edge in the series, they could close it out Tuesday in front of their home crowd. And reports are starting to filter out of Dallas that Mavericks coach Avery Johnson?could soon be doing a “Texas Two-Step” into the unemployment line.

Dallas appears to be a team right now, if not coming apart at the seams at least fraying at the edges. Josh Howard decided to become the Association’s spokesman for the benefits of marijuana on a Dallas Radio Station the other day. In game four Jason Kidd of all people?got ejected?from the game in the?fourth after committing a flagrant foul against Jannero Pargo with 7:16 remaining in the game.? J-Kidd had a line total of 3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists.? J-Kidd is too much of a veteran to get caught up in the moment, he did this to send a message. Whether it was to his teammates, that they had to pick up their play, or to Mark Cuban that Avery must go remains to be seen. But make no mistake about it, it was a calculated move.

The Mavericks started out strong in the first quarter as they led 30-23 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter told a different story, as suddenly?the Mavs’ basket had a lid on top of it, and the Hornets took the lead at the half 48-44. New Orleans extended their advantage in the third quarter as they were ahead by 10 at the end of the period 76-66. Dallas just melted?down in the final quarter, to basically allow New Orleans to take the win unchallenged.

David West scored 24 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Peja Stojakovic scored 19 points, 5 rebounds. Chris Paul has not been as effective as he was in the first two games, since Jason Terry started guarding him, but he was far more effective than Kidd as he scored 16 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 1 steal. Jannero Pargo scored 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, ?Julian Wright scored 11 points as well, 2 rebounds, 2 steals.? Mo Peterson scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks.

Dirk Nowitzki recorded a double-double to lead the Mavericks, he scored 22 points, 13 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal. Jason Terry scored 20 points, 3 assists, Brandon Bass was the only other Dallas player in double figures, as he came off the bench and scored 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block. New Orleans is now one win away from advancing as they hold a 3-1 lead in the series.

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