NBA – Hornets sting Spurs again for 2-0 lead (+ video)

NEW ORLEANS (NBA) - The New Orleans Hornets are in complete command of their Western Conference play-off showdown with the defending NBA champions San Antonio Spurs after a 102-84 triumph at home on Monday.

New Orleans trailed 43-42 at half-time but turned on the style in the third quarter when they outscored San Antonio 36-18 and went on to claim a big triumph.

Scott, this year’s NBA Coach of the Year, said: “We were able to protect home (advantage). That’s the biggest thing. You’re still playing against the best team in the league. They are the best team until somebody can knock them off in the play-offs in a four out of seven game series.”

And that is a message that Scott delivered to his players after the game.

“All we’ve done is we’ve won the two games at home like we’re supposed to,” he said.

“The series gets tougher going into San Antonio. It’s going to be a lot like here. They’re going to have the crowd behind them. We’ve got to be ready to play.”

Team USA point guard Chris Paul had 30 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans and Serbia’s Peja Stojakovic buried five of seven shots from three-point range on his way to 25 points.

Paul outplayed France playmaker Tony Parker, who finished with 11 points and just three assists.

Manu Ginobili, the Spurs’ Argentina international guard, scored 13 and corralled seven rebounds.

Detroit have a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final after a 100-93 win over Orlando at the Palace in Auburn Hills.

The Magic lost despite Team USA big man Dwight Howard finishing two rebounds shy of another 20-20 performance.

Howard scored 22 points and grabbed 18 boards.

On Tuesday, LeBron James and Cleveland travel to Boston for the opening game of their Eastern Conference play-off semi-final.

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