Hornets hold off Spurs' rally to remain perfect
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The New Orleans Hornets beat Southwest division rivals the San Antonio Spurs 99-90 on Saturday to improve to 3-0 in the young National Basketball Association season.
The Hornets, who had built a 78-60 lead early in the fourth quarter, had to weather a furious rally by the Spurs that reduced the deficit to just three points with a little over two minutes remaining before the Hornets scored the final six points.
"It is gratifying to come in here and get a win," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "Any road win is big.
"At the same time, we have a lot to improve on.
"Our locker room is coming together because they are starting to understand the importance of defense."
Elsewhere on Saturday, it was: Nuggets 107, Rockets 94; Bulls 101, Pistons 91; Hawks 99, Wizards 95; Kings 107, Cavaliers 104; Trail Blazers 100, Knicks 95; Pacers 99, 76ers 86; Grizzlies 109, Timberwolves 89; and Bucks 98, Bobcats 88.
In San Antonio, Texas, Chris Paul led the Hornets with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Manu Ginobili was the top scorer for San Antonio with 23 points and Richard Jefferson added 18 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter rally.
David West added 18 points for the Hornets and Marcus Thornton scored 17 points in more than 30 minutes off the bench.
New Orleans rallied from a seven-point first-quarter deficit to take a one-point lead at halftime and added to the lead with a dominant third quarter when it outscored the home team 33-18.
San Antonio shot just 39 percent from the field and was six of 26 from three-point range.
In Houston, Texas, Al Harrington scored 28 points and Carmelo Anthony had 24 to help Denver ruin Houston's first home game.
Chauncey Billups scored 13 points, Nene had 12 points and 12 rebounds and the Nuggets won in Houston for only the fifth time in the last 18 games there.
Luis Scola scored 28 and Kevin Martin added 21 for the Rockets, who are 0-3 for the first time since the 1999-00 season.
Yao Ming scored 14 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked two shots in 23 minutes. Houston continues to limit his playing time as he comes back from foot surgery that sidelined him all last season.
