03 February,2009 10:00 AM IST | | AFP
New Orleans' All-Star point guard Chris Paul suffered a right groin strain late in the third quarter against Portland yesterday, and the Trail Blazers made the most of his early departure.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Jerryd Bayless chipped in 19 points off the bench as Portland used a big fourth quarter to secure a 97-89 National Basketball Association victory over the Hornets.
The Blazers outscored the Hornets 42-17 after Paul left the game. The Hornets held a 17-point lead when he went down.
Paul was coming in on the right side when he appeared to slip entering the lane. He delivered a pass but hit the floor in obvious pain before leaving the contest.
Just 90 seconds earlier, Paul grabbed the back of his right leg, perhaps an indication that his right hamstring was giving him trouble.
Portland hit nine straight shots at one point in the fourth quarter while New Orleans missed nine in a row. The Blazers outscored the Hornets 38-15 in the frame en route to their fifth straight victory.
