NBA Game Summary - New Orleans/Oklahoma City at Orlando

11.19.2005

Orlando, FL (Basketball News) - David West scored a career-high 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets over the Orlando Magic, 98-95, at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Chris Paul added 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds for the Hornets, who have won back-to-back for the first time this season. Bostjan Nachbar added 11 points for New Orleans/Oklahoma City, which outscored the Magic, 15-0, at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

"We have been scrapping," said West. "We have been under-manned. We knew we had to do something. I just felt good."

Hedo Turkoglu tallied a season-high 22 points and Keyon Dooling tied a career- best with 22 points for Orlando, which has lost two in a row and three of four. Steve Francis added 21 points and five assists for the Magic, who fell to 1-4 at home this season.

"It hurts to lose at home," said Francis. "I’m upset that we lost but then that we lost at home, that’s tough, that’s tough."

The game was tight throughout the fourth quarter, but the Hornets went ahead for good with under five minutes remaining. Paul hit a pair of free throws, and after the Magic came up empty on the offensive end, West connected on a bucket of his own to stake the visitors to a four-point lead.

Later, a Francis three-pointer drew Orlando to within 90-89 with just 1:02 remaining, but Paul answered with a trey of his own on the Hornets’ ensuing possession to extend back to a four-point lead.

Dooling then missed a driving layup and Tony Battie missed the putback attempt with 28 seconds left and West hit both of his free throws on the other end to make it a six-point game and secure the win.

The Hornets hit 15-of-20 free throw attempts in the final 12 minutes, while Orlando didn’t even make it to the line.

Dwight Howard had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Magic, who split the two- game season series with the Hornets.

The Magic trailed 27-21 after one quarter and 48-43 going into the locker room. Orlando, however, went into the fourth with a 70-68 edge.

Hornets guards J.R. Smith (ankle) and Speedy Claxton (ankle) missed the game...West also played a career-high 42 minutes...His previous career-best in points was 16, set twice earlier this season...The Hornets ended a three- game losing streak to Orlando.

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