A slow start and a cut about his right eye couldn’t stop Chris Paul.
And neither could the Los Angeles Lakers.
Paul rebounded after finally scoring in the final 63 seconds of the first half to produce his first triple-double of the season with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in the Hornets’ 93-88 Game 4 victory over the defending NBA champions.
“He’s maybe 6 feet and he had 13 rebounds,” New Orleans forward Trevor Ariza told reporters after the game. “He played unbelievable. He’s made our team go all year. He’s carried us when we were down.”
Paul played with his left hand tightly wrapped because of a jammed thumb. Later in the game, he received a cut above his right eye. But it couldn’t stop Paul’s big game as he became only the third player in the last 20 years to produce at least 25 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in a playoff game. It was his second career playoff triple-double.
“Chris Paul—that was one of the better performances I’ve seen in the playoffs,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams told reporters after the game. “A lot of guys score. He scored. He assisted. He rebounded.”
Paul’s big effort enabled him to lead Sunday’s Studs and Duds of the top NBA performers.
“It was cool,” Paul told reporters. “Fun.”
STUDS
New Orleans G Chris Paul: Notched his first triple-double of the season with 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists and was plus-9 in the Hornets’ 93-88 Game 4 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston F Kevin Garnett: Went for 26 points, 10 rebounds, two blocked shots and was plus-8 in the Celtics’ series-closing Game 4 101-89 triumph at New York.
Atlanta G Jamal Crawford: Came off the bench to score a team-high 25 points, provide six assists and was plus-5 in the Hawks’ 88-85 Game 4 victory over Orlando.
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Notched 21 points, five rebounds, 12 assists and was plus-6 in the Celtics’ victory at New York.
Atlanta G Joe Johnson: Produced 20 points and nine rebounds and was plus-2 in the Hawks’ victory over the Magic.
New Orleans F Trevor Ariza: Went for 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in the Hornets’ triumph over the Lakers.
Philadelphia G Lou Williams: Hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left, leading Philadelphia to oan 86-82 Game 4 victory over Miami. Williams shared team scoring honors with 17 points.
Philadelphia G Evan Turner: Scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and was plus-4 off the bench to pace the 76ers’ victory over the Heat.
Philadelphia F Andre Iguodala: Went for 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 76ers’ victory over Miami.
Atlanta F Al Horford: Tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and was plus-5 in the Hawks’ triumph over the Magic.
New York F Carmelo Anthony: Produced 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the Knicks’ loss to Boston.
Miami F LeBron James: Tallied 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and a blocked shot in the Heat’s loss at Philadelphia.
Orlando C Dwight Howard: Notched 29 points, 17 rebounds, two blocked shots and was plus-6 in the Magic’s loss at Atlanta.
Miami G Dwyane Wade: Filled the stat sheet with 22 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots, four assists and three steals in the Heat’s loss to the 76ers.
Orlando G Gilbert Arenas: Came off the bench to score 20 points, grab five rebounds and dished off two assists in the Magic’s loss to Atlanta.
DUDS
Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Was shut out in the first half — the first time in a playoff game since May 25, 2004 — in the Lakers’ loss at New Orleans. Bryant finished with 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists, but clanked through a 5-for-18 shooting effort and was minus-1.
Orlando F Hedo Turkoglu: Went 2-for-12 in field-goal attempts, including missing all six 3-point attempts, in the Magic’s loss at Atlanta. Turkoglu missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, had three turnovers and was limited to six points.
Orlando G J.J. Redick: Missed all six field-goal attempts, scoring two points and was minus-7 in the Magic’s loss at Atlanta.
Los Angeles Lakers F Lamar Odom: Went 1-for-7 from the field with two turnovers and was a team-worst minus-8 in the Lakers’ loss to the Hornets.
Miami G Mike Bibby: Missed all six-field goal attempts was shut out and was minus-15 in the Heat’s loss to the 76ers.
New York F Amar’e Stoudemire: Went for 19 points and 12 rebounds, but struggled through a 5-for-20 effort from the field with five turnovers in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics.
New York G Toney Douglas: Clanked through a 3-for-11 shooting effort and was a team-worst minus-14 in the Knicks’ loss to the Celtics.
New Orleans G Marco Belinelli: Went 3-for-11 from the field and was minus-2 in the Hornets’ victory over the Lakers.
