Hornets Mess Up Rockets Flight Plan Win 88-79

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The New Orleans Hornets bounced back from their Christmas day loss at the hands of the Orlando Magic and sent the Houston Rockets back to the Lone Star State Friday as the losers of a 88-79 contest. Chris Paul recorded a double-double for the Hornets, with a game high 26 points, while David West added 23 points, and Tyson Chandler would also contribute with a double-double. The Rockets were short handed as Ron Artest was out of the game nursing a sore right ankle, New Orleans were without starter Peja Stojakovic, who has a sore back, and backup big man Hilton Armstrong who has a bruised thumb.

The game was either club’s to claim as they battled back and forth until the Rockets looked like they ran out of fuel in the fourth. New Orleans would take the lead at the end of the first quarter by the score 23-18. Houston would never take the lead in the second but did tie the game momentarily at 35-35 when Aaron Brooks drained a 25 foot trey with 5:20 to play in the period. The Hornets would regain the lead but it was a paper thin margin as the game reached the half with New Orleans leading 46-44. The Hornets appeared to be running away with the contest, in the middle of the third as Rasual Butler tipped the ball in the basket with 7:31 remaining, giving his team a 58-49 advantage. The Rockets would climb right back into the game by the end of the quarter, as New Orleans lead was back down to 2 points at 66-64. Houston would fall behind early in the fourth quarter, as Butler drained a trey with 7:03 left to play giving the Hornets a 75-69 lead. The Rockets would get the lead down to 2 points, but never got any closer.

Chris Paul recorded a double-double, a game high 26 points, he dished off 10 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, in the Phoenix victory. David West put in 23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Tyson Chandler was also credited with a double-double, 14 points, 12 boards, and 1 block. Rasual Butler scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block.

Houston center Yao Ming led his team with a double-double, 19 points, 1 boards, and 1 assist. Tracy McGrady scored 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, while Luis Scola added 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. New Orleans now has a record of 17-9, Houston is 19-11.

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