While Bowen was successful in containing Stojakovic in the first half, West and Paul, the stars of Games 1 and 2, were let loose and shot a combined 14-of-21 to account for 30 of the Hornets’ points at halftime.

Tyson Chandler dunked alley-oop passes from West, Paul and Wells in the first half, each time quieting the raucous Spurs crowd that took to booing both the officials and the Hornets.

The Spurs led by as many as four points in the second quarter after Michael Finley, who came off the bench because usual reserve Ginobili started, hit a corner 3 to give San Antonio a 41-37 lead.

After Parker hit a jumper with 49 seconds to play in the first half, Stojakovic and Morris Peterson each hit 3s to leave the Spurs down 56-49 with 23 seconds left. But Bowen hit a 3 and Ginobili hit a buzzer-beating jumper to bring San Antonio within 56-54 at halftime.   Duncan was quiet in the first half with just five points as New Orleans’ double-teams continued to hamper him.

In the third the Spurs did not break down as they did in Games 1 and 2 when New Orleans took control. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili took over, scoring all but three of San Antonio’s 29 points in the period.

“We were waiting for that third quarter, that it would be on our side this time,” San Antonio’s Fabricio Oberto said. “I think we did a pretty good job. It’s not the best job we can do.”

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But the Hornets wouldn’t go away as Paul scored 11 points in the quarter. Late in the period he hit a highlight shot when he flipped up the ball as he spun around and put his back to the basket. He as fouled for the three-point play to bring the Hornets within 77-76.

Notes: Paul’s shoes read “Brian!” in white lettering in honor of an 8-year-old fan with cancer who was set to attend Monday’s Game 2 but missed it with a fever and died hours later. “To the family, I’m terribly sorry,” Paul said after the game. “I’m just happy I could honor Brian tonight by putting his name on my shoes. It has to be the most touching story I’ve had as a professional athlete.” ... Paul was named first-team All-NBA on Thursday. Duncan was named to the second team and Ginobili the third. ... Chandler had 12 points for New Orleans. ... Bowen scored 12 points for San Antonio and Finley had 11. Kurt Thomas grabbed 10 rebounds for the Spurs.

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