Paul injured and Blazers beat Hornets 97-89

[February 03, 2009]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame a 17-point deficit after Chris Paul was injured for their fifth straight victory, 97-89 over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.

Paul left the game late in the third quarter with a strained right groin, the first action he has missed all season.

He had 12 points and 13 assists to that point in helping New Orleans build a lead that got as large as 70-50 with 2:41 to go in the third quarter.

The Hornets led 72-55 when Paul left the game. Portland then outscored New Orleans 26-7 during the next seven minutes, with Jerryd Bayless scoring 13 of his 19 points during the decisive surge.

The rookie guard threw down a couple of thunderous fast-break dunks during the spurt and added a fast-break layup as he was fouled by James Posey. Rudy Fernandez's 3, after which he turned to the sideline and let out a roar, capped the surge and gave Portland an 81-79 lead.

New Orleans tied the game twice more before Travis Outlaw hit a jumper and driving floater over a crowd of defenders to put Portland in the lead for good and ensure New Orleans' longest losing streak of the season at three games.

Outlaw finished with 16 points and Fernandez 15 for the Blazers. Aldridge also had 11 rebounds, Joel Przybilla grabbed 10 and Portland outrebounded New Orleans 52-32.

David West scored 25 points for the Hornets and Peja Stojakovic 18, but after Paul left the game, the Hornets were 5-of-21 from the field (24 percent) with only two assists and five turnovers.

Before Paul left, New Orleans shot 49 percent (29-of-59), racked up 20 assists and committed only two turnovers.

It was not immediately clear how severe Paul's injury was. The Hornets play next at home on Wednesday against Chicago.

Paul assisted on the Hornets' first seven baskets and had nine assists in the first quarter alone. He also had two steals, the second coming when he stole an inbound pass and went all the way for a fast-break layup, giving New Orleans a 24-15 lead.

Outlaw's jumper pulled Portland as close as 29-27 in the second quarter, then New Orleans began to pull away again on Rasual Butler's jumper and Antonio Daniels' fast-break layup.

Paul checked back in and promptly set up West's jumper and Melvin Ely's dunk. Paul added a 3-pointer with two seconds to go in the period, giving the Hornets a 48-39 halftime lead.

Notes: Paul, who leads the NBA in triple-doubles with five, now has 31 double-doubles. ... Aldridge has scored 20 or more points in 17 of his last 26 games. ... Portland improved to 12-12 on the road.

[Associated Press; By BRETT MARTEL]

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