National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Orleans 97, L.A. Clippers 90
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, March 22, 2012
Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Officials: #75 Eric Dalen, #7 Kevin Fehr, #23 Jason Phillips
Attendance: 17209

HORNETS 97, CLIPPERS 90
: Chris Kaman scored 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as host New Orleans won its first home game since March 2.

The Hornets picked up their 10th win over the Clippers in their last 11 meetings and won at home for just the fifth time this season. Los Angeles went 0-3 on its back-to-back-to-back road stretch.

Kaman was one of five New Orleans players in double figures - including reserve Xavier Henry, who scored 12 points in his first game after being recalled from the NBA Development League.

Chris Paul, making his return to New Orleans after being traded this offseason, scored 16 points but was limited to just six in the second half due to foul trouble. Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

After shooting 62.5 percent in the first half, New Orleans scored just once in the first four and a half minutes of the third quarter, helping the Clippers grab a 13-point lead. The Hornets clawed back into the game with a 10-2 run, trailing by three points heading into the fourth quarter.

Jarrett Jack hit a jumper from the top of the key to give New Orleans its first lead of the game, 80-79, just over two minutes into the final frame. Jack finished with 17 points.

A skirmish broke out when Jason Smith ran over Griffin on a fast break with four minutes remaining in the game. Smith was called for a flagrant and ejected with a season-high 17 points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Los Angeles was playing five games in six nights for just the second time in franchise history. … Film actor Samuel L. Jackson was the guest PA announcer. … Mo Williams left with a toe injury in the fourth quarter
Top Game Performances
 
L.A. Clippers   New Orleans
Blake Griffin 21 Scoring Chris Kaman 20
Chris Paul 9 Assists Jarrett Jack 9
Blake Griffin 11 Rebounds Chris Kaman 10
Blake Griffin 7 Free Throws Made Jarrett Jack 7
Reggie Evans 2 Steals Jarrett Jack 2
N/A Blocks Chris Kaman 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
L.A. Clippers 90 38.9 5-27 15-24 18 42 0 11 11
New Orleans 97 57.6 2-5 27-34 21 39 8 4 20
Upcoming Games
  • New Orleans will play their next game at home against San Antonio. The Hornets have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .229 after a loss.
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game at home against Memphis. The Clippers have a W/L % of .444 after a win and .700 after a loss.