The playoff matchups in the West are shaping up to be highly contested series. The Hornets though look to be in the best position as they take a 2-0 advantage into tonight's game on the road in Dallas. With Paul and the Hornets shooting lights out in Game 1 and 2 the Mavericks have the pressure riding on them. Setting those franchise records has to make New Orleans feel good, they're beaming with confidence and pride now. Chris Paul's red hot play has ignited the Hornets. His back-to-back 30-point plus games with 17 assists in Game 2 blew open the big leads in route to victories.
I'll have to admit the Mavericks are a better team at home, playing in a comfort zone with support from the home crowd. Yet when they can't counter speed and streaky shooting they come unraveled. Dirk's performance or involvement in Game 3 will have a big effect on the outcome. Josh Howard and Jason Kidd don't normally rack up high scoring numbers as the bench will be relied upon to pick up the scoring load. If the Hornets shoot over 60% in a half and duplicate another franchise records-breaking performance I don't know how the Mavs will keep up or stay in the game.
All those who claimed New Orleans didn't stand a chance in the first round may witness more history in the making in the best-of-7 Western conference playoff series. Since the Hornets haven't won at Dallas in 10 years pulling off another big win to go ahead 3-0 would be huge. I expect good games from Tyson Chandler, David West, and Jannero Pargo. The trio combined for 47 points in the 127-109 win at New Orleans. The starting lineup could easily score in double-digits again and run the Mavericks until they're out of gas. Dallas may need an offensive explosion of their own to take the sting out of this heated series.
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