Hornets, Cavs Take Commanding 3-1 Series Lead

Delonte West’s game-winner gives Cavs a 3-1 series lead over Wizards.

David West scored 24 points as the Hornets stormed to a 97-84 victory over the Dallas Mavericks and grabbed a commanding 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series. Photo courtesy: New Orleans Hornets

DALLAS - The New Orleans Hornets couldn't have picked a better time to end their 10-year drought in Big D.

The forward tandem of David West and Peja Stojakovic combined for 43 points Sunday as the Hornets stormed to a 97-84 victory over the Dallas Mavericks and grabbed a commanding 3-1 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

New Orleans had not won at Dallas since January 24, 1998, dropping 14 straight games. It looked like the Hornets were on their way to another loss until the bench fueled a 15-2 run early in the second quarter, and New Orleans never trailed again.

West and Stojakovic scored all of the points in a 16-7 surge at the outset of the second half, building the bulge to 64-51. The Hornets led by double digits the entire fourth quarter, ignoring some extracurricular activity by the frustrated Mavericks.

West scored 24 points, Stojakovic added 19 and Chris Paul 16 and eight assists for New Orleans, which shot 50 percent and held a 21-4 edge in fast-break points.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points and Jason Terry added 20 for the Mavericks, who shot just 36 percent.

Game 5 is Tuesday in New Orleans at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. Dallas will try to stay alive facing its own daunting slide, having lost its last eight road playoff games dating to the 2006 Finals.

Phoenix 105 - San Antonio 86

With their backs against the wall, the Phoenix Suns came out ablaze in Game 4 and scorched the San Antonio Spurs for a 105-86 win on Sunday to stay alive in their first-round Western Conference playoff series.

The Spurs still lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1, with Game 5 on Tuesday night in San Antonio.

Boris Diaw, starting in place of injured Grant Hill, notched 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in one of the best playoff performances of his career.

Raja Bell scored a game-high 27 points, Shaquille O'Neal contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Steve Nash and Leandro Barbosa added 15 points apiece.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 18 points, Tim Duncan contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds and Manu Ginobili chipped in with 10.

After watching the Spurs play to near-perfection Friday, the Suns were the aggressors from the start on Sunday. Phoenix led by 21 after one quarter, by as many as 24 in the second and by 30 in the third.

The series shifts back to San Antonio on Tuesday at 9:30 ET on TNT.

Cleveland 100 - Washington 97

With the game tied 97-97, the clock winding under 10 seconds, and the ball in LeBron James' hands, Cleveland fans had to feel good about their chances of coming out with a win Sunday afternoon. The Cavaliers did win, but it certainly wasn't because of a game-winner from James.

Instead, it was Delonte West, who received the kick-out from James and hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 5.4 seconds left to give Cleveland the 100-97 lead. Gilbert Arenas tried a deep three to send the game into overtime, but it hit the side of the rim.

LeBron finished with a game-high 34 while West chipped in with 21 in the win. The Wizards were led by Antawn Jamison, who scored 23, and Caron Butler, who added 19. Five played in all for Washington finished in double figures.

The series now moves back to Cleveland this Wednesday, where the Cavaliers hope to finish off the Wizards and advance to the second round.

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