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NEW ORLEANS: David West scored 37 points and sparked a
fourth-quarter rally to lift the Hornets past the National
Basketball Association-leading Boston Celtics 113-106 here Saturday.
West scored 13 of his points in the fourth
quarter while Chris Paul added seven of his 19 in the last 12
minutes when the Hornets, trailing 65-55 at halftime and 89-81 after
three quarters, outscored Boston 32-17.
The Hornets improved to 47-21, one victory
behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the Western
Conference but staying just ahead of Houston atop the Southwest
division and 1 1/2 games ahead of NBA champion San Antonio.
Boston lost for only the 14th time in 69 games
but remained more than five games ahead of the Detroit Pistons for
the best record in the NBA. The Celtics have already clinched a
playoff berth and division crown.
Paul Pierce scored 28 points to lead the
Celtics, who also had 23 points from Rajon Rondo and 19 points, 11
rebounds and 12 assists from Kevin Garnett.
Reserve Jannero Pargo added 15 points for New
Orleans, which won at home for the ninth time in a row.
Pargo scored seven points in an 11-4 run to
start the fourth quarter that pulled the Hornets within 93-92 with
8:03 to play. West scored eight points in a row as New Orleans
seized a 99-93 edge with 3:53 remaining.
Rondo pulled the Celtics within 104-101 with 91
seconds to play but Paul sank a 3-pointer from the left side to
boost the Hornets’ lead and New Orleans made six free throws in
the final seconds to secure the triumph.
Boston went 4-1 on the road swing to Western
Conference teams. The Celtics lost for only the fifth time in 28
games so far against West foes.
-- AFP
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