West, Paul spark Hornets' win

Posted April 15, 2008 11:00 pm

Associated Press

David West scored 32 points, and Chris Paul had 12 during a decisive run in the third quarter as the New Orleans Hornets clinched the Southwest Division by beating the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 114-92 on Tuesday night.

The Hornets will have at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference.

Hornets coach Byron Scott earned his 300th career victory. The Hornets finished 30-11 at home for the third time in franchise history. The club record is 32-9, set in 1997-98.

Pistons 115, Timberwolves 103: Jarvis Hayes scored 20 points, and Richard Hamilton added 18 as the host beat Minnesota to clinch the NBA's second-best record behind Boston.

With the victory, Detroit will have homecourt advantage over any Western Conference opponent if it makes the NBA Finals.

Nets 112, Bobcats 108 (OT): Richard Jefferson scored 28 points and hit a go-ahead jumper as host New Jersey rallied from a 20-point first-half deficit to defeat Charlotte.

Magic 121, Hawks 105: Maurice Evans scored a career-high 27 points, and six of his Orlando teammates also scored in double figures as the visiting Magic beat Atlanta.

Evans had 23 points in the second half as both playoff-bound teams substituted liberally.