GAME THREAD: NBA: PORTLAND (0-1) at NEW ORLEANS (1-0)

NBA: PORTLAND (0-1) at NEW ORLEANS (1-0)

<h3>Hornets seek 2-0 start, face Trail Blazers</h3>

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornetsaim for a second consecutive 2-0 start when they take on thePortland Trail Blazers on Friday.


New Orleans defeated the Sacramento Kings, 104-90, on Wednesdayto begin its 2007-08 season. It was the first of 41 home gamesthe Hornets will play at New Orleans Arena after two straightseasons of splitting contests between here and Oklahoma City.

Paul played at a high level, scoring 22 points and handing out12 assists for the club, which looks to start 2-0 for the secondstraight season. The Hornets won four straight to open2006-07, the first time the team has won that many to begin anyyear.


Peja Stojakovic scored 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 15and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which shot 51 percentfrom the field, the second-best opening-night shootingperformance in team history.


The Hornets look for continued success against the TrailBlazers, who they've beaten three straight and five on six athome.


Portland began its season with a 106-97 loss to the NBAchampion San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. LaMarcus Aldridgescored a game-high 27 points and Martell Webster scored 21 forthe Blazers, who only received seven from reigning Rookie of theYear Brandon Roy.


Portland is trying to avoid an 0-2 start for just the secondtime in seven seasons. The Blazers were 0-2 in 2005-06 andhaven't lost more than that to begin any year since starting 0-4in '86-87.


Portland has won two of three vs. New Orleans.

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">PORTLAND AT NEW ORLEANS - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


PORTLAND NEW ORLEANS

F Lamarcus Aldridge F Peja Stojakovic
F Martell Webster F David West
C Joel Przybilla C Tyson Chandler
G Brandon Roy G Morris Peterson
G Jarrett Jack G Chris Paul

OFFICIALS: Bob Delaney
Derrick Stafford
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 5
NEW ORLEANS 10 8:44 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 11
NEW ORLEANS 18 5:51 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 21
NEW ORLEANS 31 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 21 21
NEW ORLEANS 31 31 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

POR - BRANDON ROY 6, LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 6,
MARTELL WEBSTER 5
NOR - PEJA STOJAKOVIC 8, TYSON CHANDLER 6,
CHRIS PAUL 6</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 30
NEW ORLEANS 41 8:48 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 37
NEW ORLEANS 43 6:03 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 41
NEW ORLEANS 50 3:09 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 49
NEW ORLEANS 57 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 21 28 49
NEW ORLEANS 31 26 57 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

POR - BRANDON ROY 10, LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 8,
MARTELL WEBSTER 7
NOR - PEJA STOJAKOVIC 12, CHRIS PAUL 10, BOBBY
JACKSON 9</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 53
NEW ORLEANS 61 8:59 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 55
NEW ORLEANS 71 5:55 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 62
NEW ORLEANS 82 2:53 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 64
NEW ORLEANS 87 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
PORTLAND 21 28 15 64
NEW ORLEANS 31 26 30 87 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

POR - BRANDON ROY 21, MARTELL WEBSTER 9,
LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE 8
NOR - CHRIS PAUL 19, PEJA STOJAKOVIC 18, DAVID
WEST 12</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 68
NEW ORLEANS 92 8:56 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 78
NEW ORLEANS 99 5:45 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 82
NEW ORLEANS 109 3:06 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: PORTLAND at NEW ORLEANS

<div class="pre">NBA PORTLAND 88
NEW ORLEANS 111 0:44 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>