Hornets-Mavericks: New Orleans Stings Dallas 104-92

Deja vu all over again, only in reverse.

Today’s opener in the Western Conference playoff between the New Orleans Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks was the exact opposite of their final regular season game in Dallas on Wednesday.

In that game, the Hornets jumped in front, only to have the Mavericks catch up in the middle of the third quarter and forge ahead and then open a wide lead in the final stanza.

Today in New Orleans, the Mavericks wasted no time surging to an 11-point lead. The Hornets came back to cut the lead to 26-19 at the end of the first quarter on a last-second shot by Chris Paul.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks' charge with 11 points while Chris Paul was high for the Hornets with only seven.

The Hornets shot only 33.3 percent, going 9-for-27 from the floor. Dallas hit on 47.6 percent and a respectable 10-for-21.

In the second quarter, the Mavericks opened an 11-point lead twice in the period, and the Hornets came back each time to cut it to single digits.

On the last drive of the quarter, Jason Kidd grabbed an offensive rebound and found Josh Howard behind the arc for three points and the Mavericks closed out the half with a 52-40 lead.

Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard both had 15 for the Mavs while Jason Kidd had seven points and seven assists. Chris Paul was high scorer for the Hornets with 11. Peja Stojakovic and David West had eight each.

But the second half was a different story, just as it was in Dallas on Wednesday.

Chris Paul started the period with three quick baskets, and the Hornets cut the Mavs 12-point halftime lead in half. After the teams traded baskets, Bonzi Wells tied the game at 68 and Paul’s layup put the Hornets ahead, 70-68, on a terrific outlet pass from Wells.

Jason Kidd ended the half with a last-instant three-point shot that appeared to beat the timer. However, after a review, the officials said it didn’t count, and the Hornets led 76-72.

Chris Paul was the real story in the third quarter, putting up 15 points and feeding the ball off to David West who added another 10 points to his total.

Paul’s dominance continued in the fourth quarter as the Hornets opened a 12-point lead, 86-74 at the mid-point. Paul was spectacular whether driving to the basket, hitting from the perimeter or feeding off to his teammates as the crowd chanted, "M-V-P!"

Altogether the Hornets exploded for 64 second-half points while holding the Mavericks to just 40 for a 104-92 victory.

Chris Paul ended with 35 points and 10 assists. David West had 23 points and 8 rebounds. Tyson Chandler scored 10 points and 15 rebounds; and Peja Stojakovic added 14 points. The Hornets shot 46.6% from the field.

For Dallas, Nowitzki ended with 31 points, Josh Howard had 17 and Jason Kidd, 11 points and 9 assists. Dallas shot a paltry 33.3 percent, going 26-for-78.