Big Third, Paul's 40 Surge Hornets Past Grizzlies

What was a close game became a rout, as the Hornets went on a tear in the third quarter en route to a 116-98 victory over Memphis, the AP reports. Chris Paul had 16 points in that pivotal quarter, and finished with 40, the second best total of his career. The game marked a third straight win for the Hornets.

Teammates Peja Stojakovic and David West also had big nights, finishing with 21 and 20 points respectively. Grizzlies' lead scorer Pau Gasol was largely marginalized, taking only six shots over the course of the game. The Hornets led by only two at the half, but Paul's third opened an eighteen-point lead, which grew in the fourth to 20. (More NBA stories.)