West, Hornets Take 3-2 Lead Over Spurs

NEW ORLEANS - David West and the New Orleans Hornets sure looked happy to be at home. West had career playoff highs of 38 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, lifting New Orleans to a 101-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night and a 3-2 series lead.

New Orleans looked impressive in winning the first two games at home but stumbled in San Antonio. Back in the Big Easy, the Hornets cruised again.

Chris Paul had 16 of his 22 points in the second half and added 14 assists for New Orleans, which has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 20 points and Tony Parker had 18. The Hornets held Tim Duncan to 10 points, though Duncan was a force on the defensive end with 23 rebounds.

It could be a costly victory for the Hornets, as center Tyson Chandler had to be helped to the bench after dropping to the floor with a bruised left foot in the fourth quarter of New Orleans' playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.

Chandler's leg appeared to buckle as he came out to the perimeter on the Hornets' defensive end. He stayed down while Ginobili made a driving layup and the Hornets had to call timeout after getting the ball back with 8:47 to go, leading 78-65.

Chandler remained on the bench, but he did not eturn.

Horry Sets NBA Record

NEW ORLEANS | Spurs forward Robert Horry set an NBA record by appearing in his 238th playoff game during Game 5 of San Antonio's series against New Orleans on Tuesday night.

Coming into the playoffs, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the previous record for playoff appearances with 237.

Horry, in his 16th season, has been in the playoffs in all of them.