Without West’s outstanding play in the first half, the Hornets would have been in deep trouble, behind by double digits for certain. Of the Hornets’ 15 first-half baskets, West had 10 of them, scoring half of their 44 points. With Chris Paul making only 1 of 6 shots and Peja Stojakovic taking only four shots, West’s ability to keep the Hornets in the game can’t be overstated. He also had seven first-half rebounds and a couple of first-half assists. He was the only reason the Hornets were able to withstand a strong start by the Spurs.

HOW THE GAME WAS WON

See “How the Game Was Won,” from Games 1 and 2. This game was a carbon copy, at least in the third quarter. With the Hornets ratcheting up their defensive intensity, the Spurs’ offense disappeared. The Spurs put up six desperation shots because the 24-second clock left them no alternative, and made only one — a shot clock-beating 3-pointer by Manu Ginobili. The Hornets used rebounds off Spurs misses and turnovers — three in the period — to outscore the Spurs 28-11.

HIDDEN STAT

Referee Joey Crawford calling a double delay of game as the teams lined up for a Melvin Ely free throw with 10.5 seconds to go in the first quarter produced a bizarre technical foul. Two Hornets could not decide on which side of the foul lane to position themselves, and with Spurs players changing up, accordingly, Crawford whistled both sides. Gregg Popovich engaged in a heated exchange between periods that resulted in a technical foul on the Spurs coach.

- Mike Monroe