The New Orleans Hornets refuse to give up, knocking off the hot Portland Trail Blazers 95-91 on Wednesday, with David West's replacement Carl Landry busting out for 21 points, essentially mitigating LaMarcus Aldridge's 24-point outpouring. Landry, acquired from Sacramento at the trade deadline, struggled as a sixth man in New Orleans. But West's injury has been met with a breakout for the former Rockets forward; Landry has averaged 21 points over the three games since West's injury, and the Hornets have gone 2-1.
Blazers Vs. Hornets: Carl Landry Helps Lift New Orleans Over Portland In Key West Battle
The Blazers didn't get a whole lot of offense beyond Aldridge and Andre Miller (19). Nicolas Batum shot 0-7, Wesley Matthews scored just seven points and Brandon Roy contributed just five off the bench. Portland hung 31 on N.O. in the first quarter, but didn't break 21 in any period beyond that. The Hornets' offense is no great shakes, so the Blazers held a lead until the fourth, when Willie Green (!) fueled a 16-4 run that turned the game.
With the win, New Orleans earned a tiebreaker over the Blazers by virtue of a 3-1 season series victory. The teams are currently tied for the No. 6 seed in the West. As it currently stands, the No. 6 seed would play the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, and the No. 7 seed would draw the L.A. Lakers.
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