AFP/Los Angeles
The Atlanta Hawks had their seven-game winning streak stopped by a pair of rookies on the New Orleans Hornets, who have a winning streak of their own.
Darren Collison had 22 points and 11 assists and fellow rookie guard Marcus Thornton scored 21 points - all season highs - as the host Hornets won their third straight game with a 96-88 victory over the Hawks on Saturday night.
Serbia’s Peja Stojakovic made five three-pointers and scored 17 points for New Orleans, which avenged a 121-98 loss in Atlanta a week ago and improved to 3-2 under new coach Jeff Bower.
“We knew we had to go out aggressive and get the win,” Thornton said. “It was a big win. Atlanta’s a hot team right now.”
Led by All-Star point guard Chris Paul, the Hornets had won 105 games over the previous two seasons. But they stumbled to a 3-6 start this season, coach Byron Scott was fired, and Paul went down with a sprained ankle.
Collison played just 44 minutes and Thornton received 40 minutes under Scott, who was reluctant to use the rookies. But Paul’s injury left Bower no choice, and they have responded.
Under Bower, Collison is averaging 28 minutes, 15.2 points and 5.6 assists and Thornton is averaging nearly 22 minutes and 16.8 points.
“This is a game I’ve been playing for a long time,” said Collison, a first-round pick from UCLA. “Just because you get to the NBA doesn’t mean you should freeze up.”
“They just play like they’ve been in the league for so many years,” Stojakovic said. “They’ve really stepped up and showed a lot of responsibility.”
Coming off a last-second home win over Houston, Atlanta raced to a 10-2 lead but fizzled thereafter. New Orleans grabbed the lead for good later in the first period and led by as many as 14 points in the first half.
When the Hawks rallied in the third quarter, the Hornets’ rookies turned them back. Collison had a three-pointer and dunk to rebuild the margin to 64-56.
Thornton scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, when New Orleans led by at least six points.
“Our confidence is rising every game,” said Thornton, a second-round pick from nearby LSU. “The players believe in each other, and when we have that chemistry with each other, everything is good.”
“Marcus Thornton was definitely the story of the game,” Hawks guard Joe Johnson said. “We really didn’t have an answer for him.”
David West had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for New Orleans, which made 12-of-17 three-pointers.
Jamal Crawford scored 20 points and Marvin Williams added 17 for the Hawks, who lost point guard Mike Bibby to an ankle sprain in the first period.
“Bibby’s our quarterback,” Williams said. “It’s tough when your general goes down like that.”
Cleveland 97, Philadelphia 91
LeBron James had 32 points and nine assists, and the Cavaliers held the visiting 76ers to 10 points in the fourth quarter for their 10th win in 12 games.
Denver 112, Chicago 93: NBA scoring leader Carmelo Anthony had 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Nuggets, who improved to 5-0 at home. Derrick Rose scored 28 for the Bulls. |
