NEW ORLEANS, April 7 (UPI) -- Chris Paul narrowly missed a triple-double Wednesday and pushed New Orleans to a 101-93 win over Houston that put the Hornets in the playoffs.
New Orleans clinched its third post-season berth in four years and moved into a tie with idle Portland for sixth place in the Western Conference.
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Paul scored 28 points to go with 10 assists and nine rebounds in bringing New Orleans back from a 17-point, first-half deficit. It was the Hornets' third win in four games.
Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack both had 17 points for New Orleans and Emeka Okafor added 11.
Houston was led by Kevin Martin with 21 points. Luis Scola and Goran Dragic had 16 each.
