Butler, Hornets sting Celtics

Tyson Chandler posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Chris Paul had 15 points and six assists for the Hornets, who have won two of their last three games. They are now 1 1/2 games behind idle Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Paul Pierce netted a game-high 28 points and Allan Ray scored 12 for Boston, which has dropped four of six and remains stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.

The Celtics actually led by five after 12 minutes of play, but got pummeled 31-9 in the second quarter en route to a lopsided loss.

The home team started the frame with an 8-0 burst, led by four points from Butler, to move ahead 34-31. Moments later, after Boston fought back to tie it up, the Hornets embarked on a 16-2 run that put them ahead for good.

Jannero Pargo, Butler and Devin Brown started it with consecutive three- pointers, and Paul scored the final five points of the surge to make it 50-36 with 2:06 on the clock.

The Hornets stayed well in front for the rest of the half, and a Desmond Mason tip-in as time expired gave them a 57-40 lead at intermission.

Paul and Chandler had 10 points apiece at the break, while Pierce led all scorers with 16.

New Orleans outscored Boston 29-18 in the third quarter to build the lead to 86-58, and cruised the rest of the way.

Game Notes

The Celtics are 11-24 on the road this season...The Hornets are 20-13 as the host...David West had 12 points for the Hornets, and Mason added 11.