NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Chris Paul had 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds, and the New Orleans Hornets held on for a 93-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night to even their first-round playoff series at 2-2.
Wearing a black wrap on his left hand and a small bandage over his right eye, Paul scored 14 of New Orleans’ 24 points in the fourth quarter. The All-Star guard then capped his brilliant performance by running down the clock and setting up Jarrett Jack’s short jumper, which made it 90-86 with 9.3 seconds left.
Kobe Bryant had 17 points for the Lakers, but did not score in the first half and finished 5 of 18 shooting, his last miss coming on a 3-point attempt in the final seconds.
Trevor Ariza scored 19 for New Orleans.
