For more post-game analysis, check out Hornets blog At The Hive and Spurs blog Pounding The Rock.
Hornets Snap Spurs’ Eight-Game Winning Streak And Extend Their Own
David West recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, as the New Orleans Hornets won their eighth straight game with a 96-72 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Marcus Thornton added 18 points and five boards off the bench for the Hornets, who were coming off a 100-59 rout of the Hawks on Friday. Trevor Ariza and Chris Paul chipped in with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
"We still have over 40 more games to play and you can't get all excited over one game," reasoned Hornets guard Willie Green. "We'll enjoy this one tonight, but we'll have to get back to work tomorrow and prepare for Oklahoma City."
Tiago Splitter finished with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Spurs, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped. Tony Parker donated 10 points.
Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili shot a combined 4-of-19 from the field and scored six and four points, respectively.
“They are playing the best basketball of anyone in this league for the last 15 to 20 games,” Duncan said of the Hornets. “They are right in the mix and, obviously, they played well tonight.”
New Orleans held a 13-12 edge after 12 minutes of action, and took a 41-38 lead into the locker room.
The Hornets took control of the game with a dominating third quarter.
Holding a 45-42 lead with under 10 minutes remaining, New Orleans ripped off 21 unanswered points. West tallied 10 points during the burst, which Paul capped with a jumper for a 66-42 margin with under 3 1/2 minutes to go.
The Spurs shot just 18.8 percent from the field in the stanza and were outscored by a 31-10 margin. In comparison, the home team shot 61.1 percent from the floor.
The Hornets, who took a 72-48 lead into the fourth, never looked back over the final 12 minutes.
New Orleans and San Antonio split four meetings this season...The Spurs were without forward Matt Bonner (knee)...New Orleans is an impressive 18-5 at home this year...The Hornets shot 46.9 percent from the field, while the Spurs made 36.2 percent of their shots...New Orleans went 12-of-15 from three-point range.
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