West Leads Hornets to Game One Victory

Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points and Chris Paul overcame a slow start to finish with 17 points, 13 assists.

David West scored a playoff career-high 30 points and the New Orleans Hornets harassed Duncan into one of his worst postseason performances as they stormed back for a 101-82 home victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series.

NEW ORLEANS - David West looked like Tim Duncan, who looked nothing like himself.

West scored a playoff career-high 30 points and the New Orleans Hornets harassed Duncan into one of his worst postseason performances as they stormed back for a 101-82 home victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of their Western Conference semifinal series.

An All-Star for the first time this season, West got off to a slow start, one of the reasons why the second-seeded Hornets found themselves trailing by 11 points late in the second quarter. But New Orleans closed to 49-45 at halftime and took control in the third quarter, when West scored 11 points on jumpers and nifty lefthanded shots to help build a 74-66 lead entering the final period.

While West was flourishing, Duncan was struggling. A three-time NBA Finals MVP, Duncan found rough going against Tyson Chandler and made just 1-of-9 shots and 3-of-6 free throws. His five points matched his postseason career low set June 4, 1999 vs. Portland.

Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points and Chris Paul overcame a slow start to finish with 17 points, 13 assists and four steals for the Hornets, who shot 50 percent and held a 50-34 advantage in rebounds. Chandler swept 15 boards and West grabbed nine.

Tony Parker scored 23 points, Manu Ginobili added 19 and Bruce Bowen 17 - all in the first half - for the third-seeded Spurs, who shot under 41 percent. They get another shot Monday at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

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