Hornets 98, SuperSonics 97

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ David West had 23 points and 11-rebounds to help the New Orleans Hornets move into the 8th spot in the Western Conference by beating Seattle, 98-97. <br/><br/>Tyson Chandler added 15

Saturday, February 24th 2007, 2:29 pm

By: News On 6

NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ David West had 23 points and 11-rebounds to help the New Orleans Hornets move into the 8th spot in the Western Conference by beating Seattle, 98-97.

Tyson Chandler added 15 points and 19 rebounds and Chris Paul finished with 13 points and played a crucial role in the final minute Friday night.

Paul rebounded Ray Allen's missed jumper, then ran the shot clock down inside of 5-seconds before darting behind Chandler's screen and hitting a jumper to give New Orleans a 98-94 lead with 38 seconds left.

Rashard Lewis' 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go cut the lead to 98-97. Paul then ran down the clock again, but missed with 6.6 seconds to go, giving Seattle one more chance to win it. Allen took a difficult shot from the left wing at the buzzer, which rimmed out.

The Hornets moved ahead of idle Golden State by a half game for the last playoff spot in the West.

Ray Allen finished with 32 points for the Sonics.