It doesn't take a Rhodes Scholar, majoring in Econometrics to spot the significance that Chris Paul has for the New Orleans Hornets. The numbers are glaring and never were they more blinding than last night in the Hornets' 97-89 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Hornets were leading 72-55 when Paul left the game with 1:30 left in the third quarter.

Portland then outscored New Orleans 26-7 during the next seven minutes, with Jerryd Bayless scoring 13 of his 19 points during the decisive surge.

The rookie guard threw down a couple of thunderous fast-break dunks during the spurt and added a fast-break layup as he was fouled by Posey.

The most telling statistic of them all lies in the boxscore. The +/- on Paul and reserve point guard Antonio Daniels are blindingly obvious in their efficacy on Nawlins' fortunes:

Forget all of the triple doubles and steals streaks, those numbers tell you right there how valuable CP3 is to that franchise. The extent of the injury is not known yet. Much like Lakers fans who were holding their breath after the collapse of Andrew Bynum on Saturday against the Grizzlies, Hornets fans will wait with baited breath for the results of Paul's MRI on Tuesday.

Hornets spokesman Dennis Rogers said Paul, who has started all 45 of the team’s games this season, strained his right groin. Paul walked out of the arena with a slight limp, saying only that he hurt himself when he “stepped wrong.”

From the Blazers' perspective, they have to be happy with the production of the bench. Teams that progress in the playoffs have to rely on depth (even the Celtics managed to look outside their "Big Three" to Big Baby and Leon Powe during their run last season). Nate McMillan certainly has a bench that adds punch when the starters are faltering with this bunch. Last night, the bench contributed the following:

On an evening when all of the Blazers' starters, apart from LaMarcus Aldridge (22 points, 11 rebounds) took the night off, the contribution from the bench was vital -- particularly the explosion from Bayless.

“He was really the spark that turned everything around for us,” Aldridge said. “We got into a groove. We felt that we had it in our hands.”

The win was the fifth straight for Portland, setting them up well for their matchup in Dallas on Wednesday, whilst the Hornets have an anxious wait to guage how their immediate future looks.

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Comments (4)

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written by nolaman, February 03, 2009

You beat me to this story, Mookie. Must be the advantage of youth.

When I got home from the Hornet's game last night I went straight to the computer and generate an image of Paul and Antonio Daniels lines for the game. I highlighted the +/- stats and went to bed with plans to write the story this morning.

I'm old and an early riser, but in this case youth and burning the midnight oil was served.

I could not have said it better so I won't try.

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written by mookie, February 03, 2009

Thanks nolaman -- appreciate the kind words!

I know that you're always all over anything Hornets related, so I'm proud to have beaten you to the punch on this one!

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written by APURTELL, February 04, 2009

Nice post Mookie. Perhaps Daniels was just shocked to be coming on... What's that, CP is down? Here Posey, hold my chips and pepsi, i'm going in!!! Those blazers are a fiesty bunch, and really pressure the ball. Give Daniels some time, he did quite well running the point in Seattle (when ridnour was out). He'll come good.

Btw, CP is only going to be out a handful of games, but he better give the old boys a bit of a rest

Say Mookie, can I be in your top 5? I heard you might be looking for someone to replace Chuck!

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written by mookie, February 04, 2009

Good point AP... Daniels has been waiting a while to steal some minutes from Mr Iron Man, CP3. Hahaha... his chips and pepsi wouldn't have lasted long with big Melvin Ely sitting further down the bench.

You can be in my Top 5... Sir Charles has taken a rest -- they don't allow him to take his T-Mobile Sidekick into the prison...

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