Norman Vergara - AHN Sports Writer
New Orleans, LA (AHN) - New Orleans unfurled a telling 20-4 blitz in the third quarter and David West powered his way to multiple career playoff highs as the Hornets stung the San Antonio Spurs at home yet again 101-79 on Tuesday night for a 3-2 series lead.
Road-weary following two humbling losses at AT&T Center which evened the series, the Hornets came back with might at their own confines, pushing the Spurs on the brink of elimination with a huge third period spree.
The Spurs led barely at the half, then the Hornets went down to business immediately behind the exploits of Chris Paul and Morris Peterson, who combined for 34 points in the game.
West, of course, had something to do with it too.
The young power forward scattered postseason career-highs 38 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, including a shot that made it 72-58 entering the fourth period. Two nights after a disappearing act in Game 3 (10 points, five rebounds), West rebounded hugely, finishing 16-of-25 from the field and 6-of-7 from the line on top of five assists and two steals.
Paul also had his share of limelight, doing what he does best every time the Hornets begin making a run. He fed an alley-oop dunk to Tyson Chandler in the crucial third-quarter run and had back-to-back shots in the final four minutes to quash the Spurs' rally.
The point guard finished with 22 points, 12 in the final quarter, and had 14 assists while committing just one turnover. Peja Stojakovic struggled in offense, going 3-of-8 for nine points although he did have 11 rebounds.
Tuesday's victory by the Hornets marked the fifth straight time that a home team got the victory in the series. All wins by either team also came via routs and the Spurs' 38 percent shooting-their worst in three games at New Orleans Arena-only contributed to their woes.
Manu Ginobili led the defending champions with 20 points while Tony Parker had 18. Tim Duncan added 10 points to go with 23 rebounds, and Bruce Bowen also had 10 points.
Still, Ginobili and Duncan combined for only 10-of-33 shooting from the field, and despite the big man's efforts, the hustling Hornets outrebounded them by nine on the glass.
Game 6 is set Thursday night at the AT&T Center, where the Spurs buried the Hornets by a combined 31 points in Games 3 and 4. The Hornets, meanwhile, will be aiming to surpass the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
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