Apr

29

Paul’s Triple-Double Advances Hornets To Second Round Beat Dallas 99-94

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS 

Chris Paul recorded his first Post Season triple-double, and it could not have come at a more opportune time as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night 99-94. The victory sends the Hornets on to the second round as they won the series from Dallas by a 4-1 margin. The loss sends Dallas home for the Summer, the second year in a row that the Mavericks did not survive the first round. It could also send Dallas coach Avery Johnson to the unemployment line as there has been much speculation that he could not survive another first round exit.

As I wrote after game?two of this series, comparisons would be made between New Orleans and last year’s darlings the Golden State Warriors. but this is a much more complete team. If you are a regular reader of mine, then you know that I wrote early in the season that if?I?were the General Manager looking to win a NBA Championship in the next 3 years my point guard would be Chris Paul. Deron Williams is superb, T.J. Ford outside of his health issues is as well. Mike Conley Jr. has the potential to be a superstar, but Chris Paul is special, Isiah Thomas, Tiny Archibald, special.

They have another young All-Star in power forward David West, who will only get better, and the always dangerous Peja Stojakovic at the other forward position. Mo Peterson is the personification of a gutty player, but the revelation this season was in the middle. Tyson Chandler is a legitimate threat in the middle, and could become dare I write it, an elite big man. Chandler of course was part of the infamous high school draft of 2001. Chandler was taken with the second pick right after the “Supreme Bust” Kwame Brown, Eddy Curry and DeSagana Diop were also top ten picks. But Chandler underwent a transformation this season, aided and abetted by Chris Paul. I would not want to be facing the Charlotte Hornets right now in a seven game series.? The Hornets have the potential to go very deep in the 2008 NBA Post Season.

This game could quite simply be described in one sentence. The New Orleans Hornets built a large lead in the first half, and then hung on for dear life in the second!? The Hornets led at the end of the first quarter 28-22. Dallas had problems finding the basket in the second quarter, and the team from the Big Easy led 54-39 as the two teams reached the half.? But the momentum shifted in the second half, as Dallas saw their season slipping away and would not fade off quietly into the night. They held the Hornets to just 17 points in the third quarter, and cut the deficit to 71-63 at the end of the period. Dallas?would get as close as 97-94 when Brandon Bass hit 2 at the line with 33 seconds left in regulation. But Peja Stojakovic iced it with 2 from the line with 5 seconds left to seal the win.

Chris Paul who had his coming out party to NBA Nation in this series scored 24 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, in the New Orleans series clinching victory. David West scored 25 points, 7?rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, Jannero Pargo scored 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist. Peja Stojakovic scored 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, Tyson Chandler recorded another double-double, as?he?scored 10 points, grabbed 14 boards, 3 blocks.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks as he recorded a double-double, 22 points, 13 boards, 6 assists, 2 blocks, Jason Kidd scored 14 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal.? Jason Terry scored 13 points, 9 assists, 1 rebound, I guess Josh Howard can now start to indulge in his favorite off-season pastime now, he scored 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist. Dallas had three players come off the bench and each scored 11 points. Brandon Bass scored 11 points, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, Jerry Stackhouse scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, Devean George also scored 11 points, in the season ending loss.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.com



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