Hornets 99, Magic 93
David West had 17 points and 17 rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets blew a 12-point lead, but snapped their four-game losing streak with a 99-93 victory over the host Orlando Magic on Friday.
West made one of two free throws to give New Orleans a 96-93 lead with 24.7 seconds left, and after Orlando threw away the ensuing inbounds pass, Chris Paul made 3 of 4 free throws to seal it.
Willie Green scored 24 points for the Hornets (33-22), who improved to 26-1 when they allow 93 or less points.
Dwight Howard had 20 points and 17 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu had 16 points for the Magic (34-21). Howard was 8 for 12 from the field and 4 for 12 on free throws. He is shooting 57.9 percent from the line this season.
Trevor Ariza returned after missing four games with an ankle injury and had 10 points and five rebounds, while Paul had 15 points and seven assists as the Hornets improved to 17-6 against the Eastern Conference.
The Magic erased a nine-point deficit and tied the game 80-80 with a 19-7 run, capped by a Gilbert Arenas’ jumper at the third quarter buzzer.
The Magic used only eight players and their three bench players – Earl Clark (14 points) and J.J. Reddick (14) and Arenas (11) – scored in double figures.