Playoff-hungry Hornets top Clippers in OT

Devin Brown contributed 25 points and nine rebounds for New Orleans/Oklahoma City, which moved to 7-0 in overtime contests this season, but more importantly climbed within a game of Golden State for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

West shot 12-of-23 from the field and had seven points in OT for the Hornets, who won for the fifth time in six games, with their latest one coming after narrowly blowing a big lead in the overtime.

Elton Brand had 37 points and 10 boards for the Clippers, who fell a half-game behind the Warriors. Corey Maggette ended with 24 points for Los Angeles, which has dropped three in a row following a three-game win streak.

Bobby Jackson started the OT with a three-pointer and Brown’s two free throws extended the margin to 94-89. The Clippers scored the next four points, but the Hornets pulled away, extending to a 100-93 cushion on West’s follow shot with just over a minute left. It was the last of three straight buckets by West.

Two free throws from Jackson had the score at 102-95 with 33.7 seconds left before LA rallied and closed within 102-100. Maggette nailed a three, Chris Paul missed two at the charity stripe and Jason Hart hit a driving layup with three seconds left.

West made 1-of-2 at the line with 2.4 seconds go to, but Brown stole the long inbounds pass and ran out the clock.

Paul ended with 17 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists, while Jackson scored 10.

Chris Kaman had 13 points and 10 boards for the Clippers.

The Hornets led 26-25 after the opening quarter before the Clippers surged to a 52-41 lead at the half. The Hornets controlled the third, holding a 70-66 edge going into the fourth.

Brown stole the ball and jammed for an 87-83 Hornets lead with 1:22 left in the fourth. Maggette ran into shaken-up referee Jess Kersey on the play.

Brand then hit a jumper with 64 seconds left, and the Hornets were whistled for a shot-clock violation, even though it appeared Paul’s jumper nicked the front of the rim.

Brand then missed a jumper and Paul got the long rebound and was fouled. The Hornets lost the ball on the ensuing inbounds play.

After a timeout, West went to poke the ball from behind Brand, but the Clippers forward bolted to the bucket and jammed with 9.5 seconds left to tie the game.

Hart fouled Paul on the inbounds pass, and the Hornet guard sank both free throws with nine seconds remaining, but Brand sent the game into OT with a jumper with one second left. West failed to get a shot off before the buzzer.

Game Notes

The Clippers held a 50-42 advantage on the glass...The teams will close the season in Los Angeles on April 18.