NBA: New Orleans 88, Houston 79

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Chris Paul scored 26 points Friday and the New Orleans Hornets fought off Houston down the stretch for an 88-79 victory.

The result moved idle San Antonio into a half game lead over both Houston and New Orleans in the Southwest Division.

David West chipped in 23 points and Tyson Chandler had 14 points plus 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who have won five out of eight and bounced back from a 20-point loss to Orlando Christmas Day.

Houston was led by 19 points and 12 rebounds from Yao Ming. Ron Artest missed the game with a sore right ankle and Tracy McGrady managed only 11 points.

The Rockets dropped their second straight after winning four in a row.

New Orleans led by only four when Paul made two free throws with 23.7 seconds remaining. After Yao missed a short jumper, James Posey made two more foul shots with 18 seconds to play.

Paul, whose streak of 108 straight games with at least one steal ended Thursday against Orlando, started a new run Friday with two takeaways.