Hornets close gap to 2-1 vs. Nuggets

From Sun news services

April 26, 2009

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Playing a grueling 46 minutes and shaking off a hard foul committed against him, Chris Paul had 32 points and 12 assists, helping host New Orleans hold on for a 95-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday in Game 3 of their first-round series.

The Hornets cut Denver's lead in the series to 2-1, with Game 4 on Monday night.

James Posey, who sprained his right knee in the first quarter but returned before halftime, had 13 points and nine rebounds, none more important than his last, which came after former Towson Catholic star Carmelo Anthony's jumper for the lead bounced out with less than five seconds left.

Mavericks 99, Spurs 90: Tony Parker came out as promised, aggressive and going right at the basket again. However, one spectacular half and a late surge by Parker couldn't save visiting San Antonio from the brink of playoff elimination against Dallas. Josh Howard scored 28 points, seven in an early second-half spurt that put the Mavericks ahead to stay in a victory that gave them a 3-1 lead in their first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday night in San Antonio.

Lakers 108, Jazz 94: Kobe Bryant followed his worst shooting game in years by scoring 38 points to lead Los Angeles to a victory over host Utah and a 3-1 series lead. Bryant, who was 16-for-24, scored the Lakers' first 11 points, and once his teammates joined in Los Angeles overwhelmed the Jazz and moved within one game of advancing to the second round.

Heat 107, Hawks 78: Dwyane Wade finished with 29 points and eight assists, Jermaine O'Neal added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and host Miami took a 2-1 series lead over Atlanta, coasting to a huge halftime lead before beating the Hawks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup. It was over early: Atlanta missed 17 of its first 19 shots, and a 25-6 Heat run to end the first half pushed its lead to 50-29.

Off the court

Celtics: Backup guard Tony Allen declined to discuss a reported death threat against him, responding with silence when asked about it Saturday. Several media outlets reported that Allen has been receiving threats and that the NBA has increased security around him.

Lakers: Tex Winter, 87, the longtime team consultant and mentor to coach Phil Jackson, has been hospitalized in Kansas. John Black, the Lakers' vice president of communications, would not comment on Winter's specific condition, citing medical privacy laws.