Feb

3

Hornets Lose CP3 To Injury, Then Lose Game To Blazers 97-89

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap, NBA Injuries 

Chris Paul 2.2c

The New Orleans Hornets looked like they were buzzing to a win Monday night as they led the Portland Trail Blazers 72-55 late in the third quarter. However with 1:30 left in the period, Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul suffered a right groin pull, forcing him from the contest. The Hornets seemed so caught up in the loss of their floor leader, that they lost focus on the contest, and the Blazers came back to take the lead at 81-79, and then defeated New Orleans 97-89. LaMarcus Aldridge led the way for Portland with 22 points, rookie guard Jerryd Bayless came off the bench with 19 more. CP3 spoke to reporters after the game, and said he would have an MRI on Tuesday.

The Hornets looked like they had this game in their pocket before the injury to Paul. They would take a 25 -17 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter. New Orleans would head into the locker room on top by the score of 48-39 as the game reached the half. The fans at the New Orleans Arena were already thinking about their team’s next game on Wednesday, when Paul suffered the injury.

The entire arena held it’s collective breath as Paul limped off the court. The rest of the Hornets players were clearly shaken by the incident, and lost their focus on the task at hand, winning the game. New Orleans still had a 74-59 lead at the end of the period, but you could see the momentum changing hands. As the Hornets bewilderment grew, Blazers rookie Jerryd Bayless would take advantage and score 13 points leading the charge for Portland.

With 6:15 left in the game Rudy Fernandez buried a 25 foot trey giving the Trail Blazers the lead at 81-79. Although the Hornets would tie the contest on the next possession, their confidence was gone. Portland would take the lead for good with 3:29 remaining, when Travis Outlaw hit a mid-range jumper putting his team in front 85-83.

LaMarcus Aldridge recorded a double-double, 22 points, 11 boards, and 2 assists, while Jerryd Bayless came off the bench with 19 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Travis Outlaw scored 16 points, and had 6 rebounds, Rudy Fernandez added 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

David West led all players with 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal, while Peja Stojakovic had 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. CP3 recorded yet another double-double, 12 points, 13 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, Rasual Butler scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. The win puts Portland at 30-17, New Orleans has a 28-17 record.

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