Chris Paul had 18 points on 7-9 shooting and 17 assists as the New Orleans Hornets left Oracle Arena with a 112-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors. David West (22 points, 8-12) and Trevor Ariza (19, 7-11) also scored well and efficiently. New Orleans shot 62 percent from the floor.
Thank goodness, because the Warriors shot 50 percent themselves, a rarity against the staunch Hornets' defense. Monta Ellis was the top scorer with 26 on 8-13 shooting, but Dorell Wright was a killer with 25 points on 10-15 shooting with two of Golden State's four three-pointers. Stephen Curry added 20 points, and David Lee had a double-double with 16 and 10.
But none of that was enough, as CP3 held the game on a string. The game wasn't as close as it appears; the Hornets had a 25-point lead early in the fourth quarter. New Orleans took a 13-point lead after the first quarter, a 12-point lead into halftime and a 17-point lead after three. Every time Golden State pressed a bit, Paul and the Hornets answered. Usually immediately.