OAKLAND, Calif., March 30 (UPI) -- Rasual Butler scored 20 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:27 to play, in helping the New Orleans Hornets to an 86-85 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
The victory Wednesday was the second in 14 games for the Hornets, who are two games behind Sacramento for eighth place -- the final playoff spot -- in the NBA Western Conference.
Butler was 4-of-7 from 3-point range, with three of those long baskets coming in the final 4 1/2 minutes. His 3-pointer with 1:27 left put New Orleans up 86-81.
Golden State got within 86-85 with a Derek Fisher jump shot with 36 seconds left and the Warriors had several chances to pull out the victory. But Jason Richardson had his shot blocked by Butler, following failed attempts by Fisher and Troy Murphy. Mike Dunleavy's basket came after time had run out.
Chris Paul backed Butler's New Orleans-leading scoring effort with 19 points while Golden State got 19 points each from Richardson and Dunleavy.
