Recap: LA Clippers vs. New Orleans
Sports Network | November 24, 2008
Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Chris Paul posted his second consecutive triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 17 assists, leading the New Orleans Hornets to a 99-87 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
David West scored 27 points, and Peja Stojakovic chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds for the Hornets, who beat the Clippers for a seventh straight time. Tyson Chandler and Devin Brown each scored 11 for New Orleans, while James Posey scored eight to go with nine boards, as the Hornets won their third in a row.
"We wanted to come out in the second half and open a lead," said West. "We're just trying to put together a good stretch of games."
Rookie Eric Gordon, making his first NBA start, had a career-best 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting for Los Angeles, losers of three in a row and 12 of 14 to start the season. Marcus Camby had seven points and 11 rebounds, while Baron Davis scored 19, Chris Kaman 14 and Al Thornton 12 in a losing effort.
Gordon sprained his right ankle in the first quarter, but played through pain.
"Eric's a talented player. It's good to get him in the starting lineup to give him some confidence," said Davis of Gordon. "I'm definitely optimistic about the future. It's just a matter of time."
Zach Randolph and guard Mardy Collins both didn't make their Clippers debuts. They were both acquired last week from the New York Knicks, but results for physicals in the deal are still pending.
New Orleans' bench outscored the LA reserves, 29-10.
"What you saw tonight we know is there," said Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy. "Eric did a lot of good things tonight. We were a little shorthanded on the bench and our bench points hurt us."
Gordon's layup had the Clippers within 58-56 midway through the third quarter, but the Hornets came back with an ensuing 13-5 spurt, keyed by a Stojakovic three-pointer.
It was 76-65 going into the fourth quarter, but LA got within 86-80 on a Gordon three-ball at the midway point. The Hornets put the game away with the next six points, though.
New Orleans led 25-24 after one quarter and it was 49-46 in favor of the Hornets at the half.
Hornets forward Morris Peterson didn't play due to a knee injury...West was 12-of-21 from the field...Gordon hit 4-of-8 three-point shots...Paul had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists in a 109-97 win over Oklahoma City on Saturday.
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