Hornets Trim Clippers In Close Shave

Yes Virgina, the New Orleans Hornets do have a bench.

The Hornets subs, Sean Marks, Devin Brown, Antonio Daniels and Mo Peterson, scored a total of 19 points, in a combined 56 minutes, to help the Bees buzz-cut the Clippers 104-98.

Julian "Ju-Ju" Wright had arguably his best game as a pro, logging 35 minutes and knocking down 18 points, on 8-13 shooting. In addition to using his tremendous athletic ability to play smothering defense, Ju-Ju also added nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Wright's continued improvement will be a big boost for the Hornets, as starters Peja Stojaković and Tyson Chandler prepare to return to the lineup.

Chis Paul was tremendous as usual, scoring 30 points, on 13-19 shooting, dishing out 14 assists and grabbing four rebounds. He also added six steals to his league leading total.

All-star forward David West put on another gutsy performance, playing over 43 minutes on an injured foot. Although limited in his ability to play defense, West tossed in 19 points and grabbed three rebounds.

The game was close for the entire contest. 

Paul scored eight of his game-high 30 points during the final 2:39 in front of a sellout crowd of 19,060 at the Staples Center.

This is the second consecutive victory for the Hornets on their West Coast trip that concludes on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. The Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-110 Tuesday night to begin their road trip.

New Orleans, winners of three in a row, is now tied with Portland for the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoff race. The Hornets are one-half game behind the Houston Rockets, who are in fourth place, one game behind the third place San Antonio Spurs, and just a game and half back of second place Denver.

Paul gave the Hornets a three-point lead with a layup at the 2:38 mark. After the Clippers Eric Gordon hit a long-range bomb to tie it, Paul assisted on Devin Brown's layup that gave New Orleans the lead for good.

After a Clipper free throw, Paul hit a long two, grabbed a rebound off a missed Los Angeles shot with 55 seconds left and slashed the lane for a layup with 48 seconds remaining to give the Bees a 100-95 lead.

Following Zach Randolph's 3-pointer that cut the Hornet's lead to two, Baron Davis fouled Paul trying to force an eight-second call.

Paul swished the two free throws with 16 seconds left.

Gordon led Los Angeles with 25 points, and Randolph had 24.

Injury Notes

After missing last Saturday's game against the Houston Rockets because of stomach ulcers, former Hornets guard Baron Davis started at shooting guard for the Clippers Wednesday night; Davis normally plays the point.

Rookie Ben Gordon did a great job in the point guard slot for the Clippers.

Hornets forward Peja Stojaković looked good in warm-ups and the pre-game shoot around. Stojaković did not play, but according to Cox Sports announcer Jordy Hultberg, expect him back to the active roster any day.