West, Hornets pound Pacers

Rasual Butler scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, as New Orleans/Oklahoma City came back from a five-point deficit at the start of the period to remain unbeaten through two games.

Desmond Mason and Jannero Pargo each tallied 10 points for the Hornets, who won despite shooting 3-of-14 from three-point range. Tyson Chandler had 15 rebounds in the win as the Hornets dominated the glass by a 53-34 count.

Peja Stojakovic, who was traded to the Hornets by the Pacers shortly after the free-agent market opened, finished with eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Jermaine O’Neal had 25 points and five blocked shots for Indiana, which also got 14 points from Stephen Jackson.

A turnaround jumper by Marquis Daniels at the start of the fourth bolstered Indiana’s lead to 74-69, but the Hornets scored the next 14 points. Pargo’s jumper gave the Hornets the lead and Linton Johnson’s fadeaway shot made it 83-74 with 6:12 left.

The Pacers couldn’t get closer than six points the rest of the way.

The Hornets bolted out to an early lead and held a 26-20 advantage after 12 minutes and were in front 48-40 at halftime.

Two free throws by Paul had the Hornets in front 57-48 with 7:29 left in the third, but Indiana closed the period on a 24-12 run.

Game Notes

Jamaal Tinsley had 12 points, Darrell Armstrong 11 and Danny Granger 10 for the Pacers, who shot 40 percent from the field...New Orleans was at a 44 percent clip...Indiana had swept the two-game series last season...The Hornets won, 91-87, at Boston Wednesday...The Hornets’ home opener will be Sunday night against Houston in New Orleans.