Staples Center was the showcase for Chris Paul, the future measuring stick for all NBA point guards, and Eric Gordon, the future of the Clipper organization, and they didn’t disappoint as the Hornets won behind the play of Paul, 104-98.

In the previous four games, the Clippers gave up on average 36 points in the first quarter while only scoring 20 points, but playing catch-up was not the problem on this April fools night.  Coach Mike Dunleavy was happy with the Clippers first quarter effort to keep the game within reach as they only trailed 29-24.  However, the coach was disappointed at how his team performed throughout the game, especially in the area of taking care of the ball.

“The story of the game was 22 turnovers to 10,” said Dunleavy in an abbreviated post-game press conference.  “We had stretches of the game where they had a hard time guarding Zach Randolph in the post.  They would come and double-team him on the pass, which leaves openings.  When they did that we moved the ball, had good spacing and had great looks and made plays.  That is what we have to do.”

Paul awed the Clippers crowd multiple times during the game as he finished with 30 points, 14 assists and 6 steals.  Gordon wouldn’t allow the Clippers to fall out of reach as he finished with 25 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.  Baron Davis did everything he could to keep up with the young guards by finishing with 13 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds. 

“I think after a certain amount of time you always want to do good against a team that you played with before,” said teammate Brian Skinner about the inspired play of Davis.  “And it is hard being out for a week, not practicing, trying to get your timing, and trying to play with other guys.  Some guys can kick it in and do well, and other guys need a couple of games and a few practices to get back in.”

Gordon and Paul led the scoring at the quarter with seven and six respectively.  Paul led his team with 4 assists, while Davis, after missing a week with a stomach virus and a strained left calf, added 5 assists in the first quarter against the team who drafted him 3rd overall in the 1999 draft.

Going into halftime Davis hit a layup at the buzzer capping a energized quarter for the veteran, that included an amazing block on an Antonio Daniels breakaway, a highlight reel assist to teammate Chris Kaman and a variety of hustle plays on the defensive and offensive side of the ball.

The Hornets pushed their lead to nine after the third quarter behind the brilliant play of their point guard, as he notched for the 33rd time this season a double double with 20+ points and 10+ assists.

The Clippers showed no quit as they began the fourth quarter with a run, and with 5:38 seconds left in the quarter Gordon hit a 17-foot jump shot to give the Clippers their first lead since early in the first quarter. 

The lead was a short-lived as Julian Wright received an alley-oop from Paul putting the Hornets back on top.  With 2:19 left in the game, the rookie Gordon hit a three-pointer to tie it up at 94-94.  Paul immediately drove the ball down the court and found a wide-open Devin Brown for an easy layup giving the Hornets the lead, which they never relinquished.

Paul dropped a 20-ft jumper with just over a minute left in the game to push the lead to 100-95, forcing the Clippers to take a couple of desperation three-point shots by Randolph.  He was able to hit one but missed one to tie the game with ten seconds left.

Randolph played big for the Clippers adding 24 points and 14 rebounds, but the balanced scoring of the Hornets—Julian Wright 18, David West 19, Rasual Butler 12, Devin Brown 10—was enough to hold off the fourth quarter surge by the Clippers.  Chris Kaman struggled making layups, which drew the ire of the crowd, but finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Fred Jones added 10 points.

With the win the Hornets bettered their record to 47-27 and pulled one game behind Southwest Division leader San Antonio, who was idle tonight, and a half game behind second place Houston who lost to Phoenix. 

With the loss the Clippers drop to 18-57 for the year.

The Clippers leave LA for a Saturday game in the mile high state against the streaking Denver Nuggets, currently holding the second best record in the Western Conference. 

The schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Clippers return to Staples for a battle of Los Angeles teams on Sunday.  The Clippers will shoot to keep from being swept by the conference leading Lakers in their final meeting of the year.

******************************************************************************************************

J.David has never won an award for his writing, but he is a former collegiate athlete for a small college where everyone makes the team. Currently, he is a grad student at the University of Southern California studying the archaic form called, Print Journalism. J.David points to the Bad Boys of the Pistons’ Dynasty as the birth of his love for NBA basketball, and the Bad Boys of the Pistons’ Dynasty as the death of genuine basketball.

1. Fisher Sets the Stage for Kobe
2. The Non-Showdown
3. What Christmas Day at the Laker/Celtics Game Taught Me
4. The Top-5 Eastern Conference All-Stars (of my era)
5. The Top-5 Western Conference All-Stars (of my era)