Typically here at Slam Dunk Central when we report on a game involving the New Orleans Hornets, the star player is most nights Chris Paul and on occasion Peja Stojakovic; however, on Sunday in the Hornets’ game against the Indiana Pacers, Paul produced as per usual, but the hero of the game had to be David West; West nailed a jumper with 2.5 seconds left in the game, elevating New Orleans past Indiana 105-103 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Both teams nearly matched baskets in the first quarter as Indiana outscored 29-27 going into the second period; Troy Murphy and Roy Hibbert scored seven points apiece as the Pacers went on a 15-6 run over a 4-minute span to take a 53-45 lead at the 2:50 mark of the second quarter.  They would lead the Hornets 56-49 at halftime. 

Hibbert would score three baskets as the Pacers built a 63-54 lead early in the third quarter, but the Hornets would recover as they put together runs of 9-2 and 10-2 over a 5:30 stretch to gain a 76-75 lead going into the final period.  The fourth quarter, as expected, was nip-and-tuck; the drama built until Paul drove the lane for a basket for a 103-101 Hornets lead with 30.9 seconds left to go.  Granger would then get fouled driving to the basket and would make two free throws, tying the game with 27.8 seconds remaining.  West would hit the game-winner with 2.5 seconds left in the game, icing the win for New Orleans.

New Orleans’ high scorers were Paul and James Posey with 19 points each – with Paul grabbing 5 rebounds, dishing out 12 assists along with 3 steals while Posey grabbed 3 rebounds, dished out an assist along with 2 steals; West added 18 with 10 rebounds, an assist, a steal and 2 blocked shots.  Rasual Butler pitched in, scoring 15 (including 3 treys) with 2 rebounds and 2 steals.

Indiana was led by Granger with 34 points (including 4 three-pointers), 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals while Hibbert added 19 with 6 rebounds and a steal in only 18 minutes of playing time; Murphy chipped in, scoring 16 with 16 rebounds, 4 assists and a blocked shot.  New Orleans (19-10) plays again on Tuesday when they return home to host the Washington Wizards while Indiana (10-20) remains home to host the Atlanta Hawks – also on Tuesday night.