NEW YORK, 20 December 2005 — David West scored 19 points and rookie Chris Paul flirted with first career triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists as the New Orleans Hornets stunned the San Antonio Spurs 89-76 on Sunday in Oklahoma City.
Desmond Mason contributed 15 points to the New Orleans cause and Rasual Butler added 13 to help the Hornets collect their third win in four games.
Tony Parker and Michael Finley each had 17 for the NBA champions Spurs while Tim Duncan had a rare off night hitting for just 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting to equal his season low.
No other Spurs player managed to hit double figures as San Antonio (19-5) fell for just the fifth time this season.
Tied 69-69 with just under nine minutes to play, the Hornets put the game away with a 10-0 run.
In Los Angeles, Tracy McGrady scored on a driving layup as time ran out to lift the Houston Rockets to a 76-74 triumph over the Lakers. McGrady’s winner was part of 20-point night as the Rockets also got an 18-point effort from David Wesley and 16 points from rookie Luther Head.
In Atlanta, Joe Johnson poured in 30 points and dished out nine assists as surging Hawks claimed a 110-107 overtime decision over the Denver Nuggets. After starting the season 0-9 and registering just two wins in their first 18 games, the Hawks have won four of their last five to claw their way out of the Eastern Conference basement. Josh Smith contributed 19 points to the Atlanta effort while Tyronn Lue added 17 points and Zaza Pachulia had 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Carmelo Anthony had a game high 37 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have lost three straight.
In Toronto, Andre Iguodala hit for a game-high 26 points and Kyle Korver chipped in with 23 as the Philadelphia 76ers crushed the Raptors 107-80 to register their fifth win in six games.
In East Rutherford, N.J., Vince Carter had 25 points and Jason Kidd flirted with a triple double scoring 24 points, dishing out 13 assists and pulling down nine rebounds as the New Jersey Nets dumped the Golden State Warriors 118-90.
In Dallas, Josh Howard scored 23 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots guiding the Mavericks to a 102-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Wally Szczerbiak paced the Timberwolves with a game high 28 points and Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 16 rebounds in the loss as the Timberwolves dropped their fourth straight.
In Portland, Juan Dixon scored 20 points and Steve Blake added 14 as the Trail Blazers held on to beat the Washington Wizards 97-92.
