The AP reports: Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 20, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-87 on Tuesday night. The performance was more dominant than the final score indicated and precisely what the Lakers needed after stumbling through much of a four-game road trip… Chris Paul finished with 17 points and 10 assists for the Hornets, who had won 11 of their previous 13 games and were looking to move closer to the Lakers in the Western Conference… Andrew Bynum scored 13 points for Los Angeles, which also got 11 points from Derek Fisher and 10 from Trevor Ariza. Butler scored 17 points for New Orleans. Morris Peterson added 16 and David West 13 on 5-of-15 shooting.
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Players of Week: Nelson, Paul
The Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson and the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 21.
Nelson helped the Magic to a 3-0 week, including wins over the Spurs and Lakers. The fifth-year guard led or tied for the team lead in scoring in each game, including a career-high-tying 32-point effort in Orlando’s 109-98 win at Golden State. Shooting a blistering .593 from the field and .556 from three-point range, Nelson, who also added 5.3 apg and 4.0 rpg, has keyed Orlando’s recent success – the Magic has won eight of nine.
Paul led the Hornets to a 3-0 week, averaging 23.7 points, 10.0 assists, 5.3 steals and 4.3 rebounds. The fourth-year guard set an NBA record for consecutive games with a steal (107 and counting), surpassing the 105-game mark set by Alvin Robertson. Paul recorded eight swipes in a 99-90 win over the Kings on Dec. 20.
Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Boston’s Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo, Charlotte’s Boris Diaw, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Delonte West, Golden State’s Jamal Crawford, Houston’s Tracy McGrady, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire and Portland’s Brandon Roy.
Dec 17: Hornets 90, Spurs 83
The AP reports: After a costly call in an overtime loss, things turned around in hurry for the Chicago Bulls in another extra period. Derrick Rose converted a decisive three-point play in overtime, and Ben Gordon made a four-point play with 20.5 seconds left in regulation in the Bulls’ 115-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. On Wednesday night, with the Bulls leading Charlotte by three points late in regulation, Rose fouled D.J. Augustin on a 3-point attempt. Augustin made three free throws to send the game in overtime and the Bobcats eventually won. But on Wednesday night with Chicago down four, Rose watched as Ben Gordon was fouled by fellow rookie Eric Gordon. Ben Gordon hit the three and the free throw to send the game in overtime… Los Angeles’ Marcus Camby had a career-high 27 rebounds and scored 19 points, and Randolph finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists. The Clippers also lost in overtime to Charlotte on Tuesday night.
Dec 16: Hornets 91, Grizzlies 84
The AP reports: Chris Paul tied a record for steals, and his New Orleans Hornets played enough good defense to pull out a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Paul had 18 points, nine assists and five steals, James Posey scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, and the Hornets beat the Grizzlies 91-84 on Tuesday night… David West also scored 18 points, but shot 5-of-16. Paul was just 3-of-10 from the field but made 11 of 12 free throws. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 28 points and O. J. Mayo added 20.
Dec 14: Hornets 99, Raptors 91
The AP reports: The Toronto Raptors were determined to keep Chris Paul out of the paint. They limited Paul’s penetration, but couldn’t stop the New Orleans Hornets point guard from finding open shooters on the perimeter. David West scored 29 points, James Posey added a season-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who beat the Raptors 99-91 Sunday for their eighth win in 10 games. Rasual Butler scored 16 points and Paul added 12 points and 12 assists for the Hornets… Chris Bosh had 25 points, and Jose Calderon scored 22 for Toronto on 8-for-8 shooting. Calderon also made his only free throw and has hit 59 straight dating to last season… Jermaine O’Neal added 19 points for the Raptors, who were shooting for their first three-game winning streak since a 3-0 start. Toronto is 5-6 at home.
Dec 12: Celtics 94, Hornets 82
The AP reports: James Posey got his championship ring before the game. The Boston Celtics walked away with all the spoils after it. Paul Pierce scored 28 points and Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Celtics to their 14th consecutive victory, a 94-82 win over their former teammate and the New Orleans Hornets… Chris Paul had 20 points and 14 assists for the Hornets, while David West had 23 points and 14 rebounds. Posey scored seven points with seven rebounds and a steal while committing five fouls and contributing to a defense that forced the Celtics into 17 turnovers that led to 25 points… Kendrick Perkins had nine points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots, and Eddie House hit two of his three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Dec 11: Hornets 105, Bobcats 89
The AP reports: Chris Paul had 15 points and 15 assists, and the Hornets led by as many as 23 points in the first half on the way to their seventh victory in eight games… Rookie D.J. Augustin scored a career-high 28 points to lead Charlotte, which took the floor with a depleted lineup shortly after a multiplayer trade that sent leading scorer Jason Richardson to Phoenix… Alexis Ajinca scored 12 points, and Matt Carroll 10 for Charlotte. David West and Peja Stojakovic each scored 17 points for New Orleans. Chandler had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets, who had a new look, too. They wore the white, red and black throwback uniforms of the old New Orleans Buccaneers of the ABA.
3-team trade: Hornets get Antonio Daniels, Wizards get Javaris Crittenton, Mike James
The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired guard Antonio Daniels and a future second round pick in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. As part of the trade, the Hornets send guard Mike James to the Wizards. The Hornets acquired a future second round pick from the Grizzlies and Daniels from the Wizards. Memphis sends guard Javaris Crittenton to Washington, while Washington sends Memphis a future first round pick that Washington originally acquired in the deal that gave Memphis Juan Carlos Navarro.
Read and join in fan discussion of the trade.
“We are excited to get a player of Antonio’s caliber,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “He is a guard with excellent size, versatility and toughness. Daniels is also a proven veteran who has won a championship and we look forward to all of those attributes strengthening our bench.”
Daniels has averaged 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 22.2 minutes of play in 13 games (five starts) with the Wizards. He has scored in double figures twice and has had seven games of four or more assists.
“AD has always been a steady, proven guard in this league.” said Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott. “He has won at the highest level and is a clutch player; he also gives us a different look in the backcourt with his size.”
Daniels, the fourth overall pick out of Bowling Green University in the 1997 draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies, has spent time with five NBA teams – Grizzlies (1997-98), San Antonio Spurs (1998-2002), Portland Trail Blazers (2002-03), Seattle Sonics (2003-05) and the Wizards (2005-08).
He won an NBA Championship as a member of the Spurs during the 1998-99 season where he averaged 4.7 points, 2.3 assists and 1.1 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game during his second season in the NBA. Daniels best season in the league came during the 2004-05 season while a member of the Sonics where he averaged a career-best in points (11.2) and rebounds (2.3), while adding 4.1 assists in 27.0 minutes.
Daniels has ranked in the top seven in the NBA in assist per turnover three times in his career, including leading the league during the 2003-04 season.
Dec 3: Hornets 104, Suns 91
The AP reports: Peja Stojakovic finished with 24 points, his sharp shooting opening the floor for the rest of his teammates, who took full advantage. Chris Paul also scored 24 points to go with 15 assists for his 13th double-double of the young season. David West added 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Tyson Chandler narrowly missed a double-double of his own with 14 points and nine rebounds… Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix with 26 points, while Leandro Barbosa added 19 and Grant Hill 17. However, the Suns were unable to keep pace with guard Steve Nash sidelined because of an illness. Shaquille O’Neal also sat out for Phoenix, hoping to be fresh when the Suns play Thursday night at Dallas.
West player of month: Chris Paul
The NBA announced today that New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul was selected as the Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Kia for games played from the start of the season (Oct. 28) through November. The honor is the third of Paul’s career (December, 2007 and March, 2008). He becomes the first Hornet to win the award three times.
“It is an honor to receive this award, especially with how many great players are in this conference,” said Paul. “I have to give a lot of credit to my coaches and teammates, we are all striving towards one collective goal, a championship.”
Paul averaged 20.3 points, 11.6 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 steals in guiding the Hornets to a 9-6 mark since the start of the season. Paul’s start included collecting an NBA-leading two triple-doubles and 12 double-doubles. He also scored 20-plus points in 10 of the 15 games and had 10 games of 20-plus points and 10-plus assists. In addition, Paul had a steal in every game during the season to extend his steals streak to 99 straight games, just six short of the NBA record set by Alvin Robertson (Nov. 16, 1985-Dec. 29, 1986).
“Chris is a special player and deserves all the credit and awards coming his way,” said Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott. “He is one of the best players in our league and the leader of our team.”
Paul had 24 points, 15 assists and one steal in a 104-92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 1. He collected 30 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in a 86-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 12. On Nov. 22, he had 29 points, 16 assists, 10 rebounds and three steals to secure his first triple-double of the season in a 109-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Paul had his second straight triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 24, garnering 14 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds in a 99-87 win. He collected 22 points to go along with 10 assists and three steals in a 105-101 win on Thanksgiving night on TNT at Denver.
Paul ranks first in the NBA in assists, steals and triple-doubles, while ranking second in double-doubles and 21st in scoring.