With the season winding down the playoff picture is taking shape. The battle in the East for the final spots are ugly, the door has been open for so long with no team being able to capitalize. In the West it's a close race between the Warriors, Hornets, T-wolves, and Kings. Each team is within 2 games of each other. The Hornets (32-38) and Golden State (33-39) are tied for the final seed. Lead by their smooth-passing star point guard, Chris Paul, New Orleans/Oklahoma City could be celebrating their first playoff birth.
Coming off a big win over the Rockets the other night, things look to be in the Hornets' favor. Both Paul and Tyson Chandler are having stellar performances. The second-year star guard is averaging 17 ppg with 9 assists. Sunday against Houston Paul scored 28 (10-15 FG) with 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. For a guard he shoots 45% on field goals for the season, which is good for any player in the league. Tyson Chandler has put together remarkable rebounding games in the last week or two. Victories against Boston and Memphis he pulled down 11 rebounds in each game while adding at least 14 points. In a loss at Los Angeles the 7'1 Center had a huge game with 22 points and 22 rebounds (9 offensive).
The big drawback for the Hornets is not having Peja Stojakovic in the lineup. He may return from his near season-long injury to give them a scoring lift. That's why I think Chris Paul will set up to the challenge as it's his time to shine. He can help give the franchise make their debut in the postseason. New Orleans has to withstand the remaining teams in the hunt and get more of a lead going into the last 2 weeks. The speedy, intelligent point guard has got it in him to produce another triple-double and get his team over the hump. Look for those assists totals to rise too with confidence brimming in New Orleans/Oklahoma City
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