East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Chris Paul hit the go-ahead jumper late in the fourth quarter and came up with two clutch steals in the waning moments, as New Orleans escaped New Jersey with a 99-96 victory over the Nets.
Paul finished with 14 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals in the Hornets' fourth straight win. David West carried the offensive load with 32 points and 11 boards, while Rasual Butler contributed 22 points to the winning cause.
Devin Harris recorded 26 points and 14 helpers, while Vince Carter added 26 points of his own as the Nets spoiled a chance at a perfect three-game homestand. Jarvis Hayes logged 13 points and seven rebounds in defeat.
The Hornets trailed 94-90 after Brook Lopez's putback dunk at the two-minute mark of the fourth. After trading misses, Butler drained a pivotal three- pointer to make it a one-point game with 1:17 showing.
Paul came up with a steal on New Jersey's next possession and hit a jumper for a 95-94 lead with less than 40 seconds left. Following a Nets timeout, Paul knocked away Lopez's handoff to Harris at the top of the key and secured the loose ball.
The All-Star guard dribbled out the shot clock and missed a three that could have put the game away. Tyson Chandler, though, battled for the offensive board and tipped the carom out to Butler, who was fouled and hit two free throws for a three-point lead with 9.6 ticks left.
Harris' off-balanced three didn't hit iron at the other end, but Bobby Simmons came up with the rebound, got fouled and hit two at the stripe to make it a 97-96 game with four seconds left.
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James Posey hit two free throws after he was fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass with 0.8 ticks left, and Harris' turnaround miracle three was not to be as the final horn sounded.
The Hornets led 22-18 after the first and built a 48-41 cushion before the break. The margin increased to 13 early in the third, but the Nets managed to cut it to 76-75 before playing front-runner for most of the final period.
