Hornets favored to even series behind Paul

The Hornets went home down 0-2 and clawed their way to victory over Denver 95-93 Saturday. New Orleans did it the old-fashion way, just like their coach Byron Scott used to do it with the Los Angeles Lakers as a player, by shortening the bench and relying on starters. Scott used a total of eight players in Game 3, including having point guard Chris Paul play 46 minutes. In order to even up the series, the all-star may have to reach same threshold or more in tonight’s contest.

“It’s the playoffs. There’s nothing to save and Chris is such a passionate player, he wants to be out there,” Hornets center Tyson Chandler said after practice on Sunday. “It’s like you almost have to peal him off the court. He does a good job of letting coaches know when he’s really gassed so he can get a breather and get back out there.” The former Wake Forest product scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists, in his first big performance of the series.

Paul played 34 minutes in Game 1 and 38 minutes in Game 2. New Orleans lost both games by double digits and coach Scott had to change the formula.

Scott said of the eight-man rotation on Sunday, “worked pretty good for us and it’s obviously something I’ll probably do tomorrow.” The Hornets did fail to cover the 4.5-point spread in last game and has failed to cover the number in this series. They are 15-5 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games.

Denver’s Chauncey Billups hopes his team is more patient on offense in the next game if Paul is asked again to play heavy minutes. “We feel like he has to play that many minutes for them to have a shot,” said Billups. “His responsibility for his team is probably more than anybody’s in the league. We have to try to take advantage of him on the other end of the court, make him defend and try to wear him down a little bit.”

After shooting 50 percent or better in the first two games of the series, the Nuggets struggled in the bayou, connecting on just 40.5 percent (30-74) from the field. Denver has to force the tempo and raise the score, since they are 9-2 ATS when they score 103 or more points since Mar. 23.

Bookmaker.com has lowered the Hornets down to 2.5-point home favorites with total of 194. Denver is 15-5 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog and 12-3 OVER in road games after a loss by six points or less. New Orleans continues to have difficulties beating the spread and they are 3-8 ATS in last 11 games and 8-2 UNDER playing at home.

NBA-TV will have the coverage starting at 8:35 Eastern, with the Hornets 8-3 ATS as postseason favorites.