New Orleans Romps Dallas 127-103 in Game 2

It's been just a little too easy in the "Big Easy" for the Hornets.

Since the halftime deficit of 12 in Game 1, New Orleans has outscored Dallas by 36 over the last six quarters.

The Hornets had 39 in the first quarter, 67 at halftime, and 99 at the end of the third last night.

It looked like Chris Paul was playing NBA Live '08: playoff edition on the "rookie setting," with his 32 points, 17 assists and three steals. You could tell his teammates must have found that setting as well, as the team shot 60.8 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from three and had 30 combined assists. 

Bouncers, floaters, bank shots and every other shot imaginable fell for New Orleans. Five other Hornets finished in double figures, including Peja Stojakovic with 22 and David West with 27. To his credit, Dirk Nowitzki shot eight of 12 from the floor, made his only three, and had five assists (which would be more amazing if Paul didn't have 17).

Brandon Bass was Dirk's only help going five for five from the field, nine for nine from the line, and grabbing eight boards. The Mavs did shoot 47 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, but Dallas played with none of the passion and focus their fans saw in the final game of the season against New Orleans.

You could argue that the Mavericks out-rebounded the Hornets, but: one. the Hornets shot so well, that not many offensive rebounds were available for them (and vice-versa) and twp. anyone who watched the game saw the Hornets run down every loose ball the last six quarters.

All of the talk Mavs fans (like myself) made about "playoff experience" is worthless now. What we should have referred to with Dallas was "bad playoff experience" because that's what the Mavs have lived since they couldn't put away the Miami Heat in Game 3 two years ago. 

All the Hornets have now is "good playoff experience", and they aren't going to lose that by crossing the Sabine River in to Texas.

So what hope do the Mavericks have? I don't know. So far coach Avery Johnson's plan is for the Mavs to get a little "home cooking", but to me the only way food will help is if someone gives Chris Paul some old potato salad. 

Maybe the Mavs will regain their powers in the American Airlines Center kinda like John Locke on "LOST". 

So what does Dallas need? A miracle. Culinary sabotage. A little help for the seven-foot German. 

Maybe the best hope is that the FAA grounds an American Airlines flight in New Orleans, the one carrying Chris Paul and Co. Because if Chris Paul makes it to Dallas for Friday and Sunday's games, he won't have to come back to North Texas until next season.