NBA: New Orleans 90, San Antonio 86

NEW ORLEANS, March 30 (UPI) -- David West had 23 points and 16 rebounds and made all 11 of his free throws Sunday to lead the New Orleans Hornets past San Antonio 90-86.

The victory moved the Hornets to within 2 1/2 games of the Southwest Division-leading Spurs with 10 regular-season games to go --and into a tie with Utah for the sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff chase.

Chris Paul had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Antonio Daniels scored 10 for New Orleans, which has won four of its last six games.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 20 points and added seven assists. Tim Duncan had 19 points and 15 rebounds and Manu Ginobili scored 17 for San Antonio, which lost for the first time in its last four games but still clinched a playoff spot with Sacramento's win over Phoenix Sunday.

The Spurs trail only the Lakers in the West, and are just ½ game ahead of Denver and Houston.

Chris Paul's jumper with 5 minutes left to play put the Hornets up 80-75 and New Orleans still led 85-80 after West hit a jumper with less than 40 seconds to play.

A pair of free throws by Rasual Butler put the Hornets up by seven, but Ginobili hit a 3-pointer and Michael Finley's 3-pointer made it 87-86 with under 18 seconds to go.

Ginobili fouled Paul beyond the arc and Paul made all three free throws to account for the final score.