Paul nets 32 as Hornets sting Mavs to lead 2-0

NEW ORLEANS: Chris Paul collected 32 points and 17 assists as New Orleans rolled over Dallas for the second consecutive game with a 127-103 win in Game 2 of their opening round series on Tuesday.

David West scored 27 points and Peja Stojakovic added 22 for the Hornets, who took a commanding 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 in Dallas on Friday.

It was another MVP caliber performance for Paul, who was 10-of-16 from the field and committed just three turnovers.

"Sitting there watching Chris really develop into the best point guard in this league, it's amazing to watch how he's really (taken) his game to another level," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "But that's what great players do. He's definitely one of the best on this league right now."

He also became just the eighth player in National Basketball Association history to collect at least 30 points and eight assists in back-to-back playoff games.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Josh Howard added 10 for the Mavericks, who did not have another starter score in double figures.

"We'll take a look at some things, but we've got to have a better effort," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "We've got to go home and get some home cooking. ... They protected their home court; we have a chance to go home and do the same thing. Like I've been saying all along, they are a No 2 seed that deserves to be No 2 and we've got to play much better."

In the other West matchup Tuesday, Tony Parker had 32 points and seven assists as the San Antonio Spurs came alive in the third quarter en route to a 102-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns game two of their series.

Manu Ginobili, who was presented with the Sixth Man of the Year trophy before the game to a big ovation, added 29 points for the Spurs, who seized control of the series.

San Antonio will head to Phoenix for Game 3 Friday with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.

In the Easten Conference, Dwight Howard registered his second consecutive 20-20 showing as the Orlando Magic posted a 104-103 win over Toronto in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.

Hedo Turkoglu hit the game-winning layup with 30 seconds left to help the Magic take a 2-0 lead in the series heading into Game 3 in Toronto on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Howard, who collected 29 points and 20 rebounds, joined Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal and Charles Barkley as the only players to post a 20-20 in consecutive playoff games.

"It was tough to come back and try to play the same way I played the first game, said Howard, who had 25 points and 22 rebounds on Sunday.

"But one of the things (coach Stan Van Gundy) has put in my head, and (Magic assistant Patrick Ewing), is just trying to play as dominant as I could on both ends of the floor. Since the last game, the only thing on my mind, when I go to sleep, when I wake up, at the gym with the guys, is to dominate."

In a matchup of two of the elite young big men in the league, Howard and Toronto's Chris Bosh put on a classic show for the fans. Bosh collected 29 points and 10 rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, Jose Calderon's 3-pointer with 1:46 left tied the game at 100-100, and Carlos Delfino split two from the line to give the Raptors a one-point lead 42 seconds later.

Turkoglu scored his first basket of the second half with the go-ahead driving layup, and hit two free throws to make it 104-101.

AFP/NBA.com

(China Daily 04/24/2008 page24)