PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW
     (NEW ORLEANS-SAN ANTONIO)



*Paul, Hornets overcoming Spurs' playoff experience*
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New Orleans at San Antonio                           9:30 pm EDT
Western Conference semifinals			Hornets lead, 2-0


SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Chris Paul is proving youth and
athleticism can overcome a wealth of playoff experience.


Paul and the second-seeded New Orleans Hornets try to take a
commanding three-games-to-none lead in the Western Conference
semifinals when they visit the third-seeded San Antonio Spurs
for Game Three on Thursday.


The 23-year-old Paul had 30 points and 12 assists to lead the
Hornets to a 102-84 victory in Game Two on Monday.  It was his
fifth double-double already this postseason.


The Hornets point guard is averaging 23.5 points and 12.5
assists through the first two games and has easily gotten into
the lane to create for himself and for his teammates, carving up
the normally stout San Antonio defense at will.


"After Game One, coach told me I was going to have to be more
aggressive, so I just tried to pick my spots and get everybody
involved and score - and that left me open," Paul said.


Paul's production has put the Spurs in an 0-2 hole for the first
time since 2001 when they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers
in the conference finals.


Despite leading at halftime for the second straight game, San
Antonio, which has won four NBA titles in the last nine seasons,
struggled once again in the third quarter as it was outscored,
36-18.


"They came out and sustained their energy really well in the
second half," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.  "In some ways
it's the difference of the game (making) you a winner or loser.
In general, I thought this team got stronger in the second half
and I thought we went the opposite way."


The Spurs aren't panicking yet, but they'll have to continue
their success at home where they are 37-7 this season, including
the playoffs.


"It's always a worry when you're down two, no matter what it
is," Spurs forward Tim Duncan said.  "Obviously, the goal is to
get four games and they're a lot closer than we are.  So, it's
about going home and trying to get this first one."