NBA: Did Chris Paul Capture The MVP Wednesday Night?

LeBron James' driving layup had given the Cavaliers a 99-98 lead with 7.7 seconds left. Then Chris Paul took over, driving toward the basket and drawing in defenders. With less than a second remaining, Paul quickly flipped the ball behind him to a wide-open David West for a 17-foot jumper.

The 17-foot Assassin, as Paul likes to call West, was true to form, and the Hornets walked away with a 100-99 win and, more importantly, the lead in the Western Conference.

With 15 points and an astounding 20 assists, none more astounding than his last one to West, Paul overshadowed James’ near-heroics and walked away with a firm grasp on the MVP title. It was his second 20-assist game this year.

Time and time again this season, Paul has shown up in big games against major opponents. That is why at 49-21, the Hornets are tops in the West.

Their 10-3 record in March compares favorably with the 11-3 Celtics, who have an MVP candidate of their own, Kevin Garnett. KG scored 30 last night as the Celtics outplayed the Phoenix Suns 117-97.

But overall Paul’s numbers in March far outshine KG’s. Paul has averaged 24.5 points to 20.9 for KG. Paul’s 13.3 assists per game is by far tops among the four MVP candidates. James is the closest with 6.5. Kobe Bryant has 4.9, and Garnett 2.8.

Even more telling is the fact that, compared to the Hornets, the Lakers are 8-5 in March while the Cavaliers are only 7-6.

That may have been cause for James’ frustration at the end of the game when he complained to assistant coach, Mike Malone. Earlier James had chided his teammates during a fourth quarter outburst.

Speaking of frustration, we move to the West Coast where Kobe Bryant blew any chance of winning the MVP title last night.

His 27 points were topped by his two technical fouls within thirty seconds, leading to his fourth quarter ejection.

Bryant has now amassed 15 technicals on the season. One more and he must sit out a game. That won’t be considered so valuable when it comes time for MVP voting. Neither will the Lakers lethargic loss to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, 108-95.

The loss dropped the Lakers into a three-way tie for second place in the West, one full game behind the surging Hornets.

Coming up Friday is what could possibly be a preview of the NBA Finals and a decisive match-up in determining this year’s MVP as the Hornets go into Boston. This is one you don’t want to miss.