Tim Duncan had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Spurs beat the New Orleans Hornets 100-80 in Game 4 Sunday night in San Antonio to even the Western Conference semifinals series at 2-2.
Tony Parker added 21 points for the Spurs, who are assured of a Game 6 back in San Antonio. Chris Paul scored 23 for the Hornets.
The Spurs led by as many as 27 and were ahead nearly the entire game. They shot 51 percent (39 of 76), while the Hornets were cold when it counted. They shot 37 percent through three quarters and finished 33 of 82 (40 percent).
"Our intensity was terrible. From Game 1 to Game 4, ours has gotten worse and theirs has gotten better," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "That's been the difference. They're just kicking our butts right now."
New Orleans' David West had three blocks but was held to 10 points on 4-for-15 shooting and was visibly frustrated. The Hornets were hoping to return to New Orleans with a commanding 3-1 series lead, but allowed Duncan and Parker to shoot a combined 18 of 25.
Jazz 123, Lakers 115 (OT): Utah had plenty of chances to crumble and nearly did.
The Jazz let a 12-point lead slip away in the last four minutes and faced overtime against league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Instead of wilting, Utah played its toughest defense of the playoffs and pulled out a victory, tying the Western Conference semifinals 2-2.
The Jazz held Los Angeles to two field goals in overtime while outscoring the Lakers 15-7.
"We never have any doubts in our confidence," said Utah's Andrei Kirilenko, who blocked Bryant twice in overtime and converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to help the Jazz pull away.
After opening the series with two losses in Los Angeles, the Jazz came home and answered with two wins.
Deron Williams had 29 points and 14 assists.
Bryant, who said he was fighting back spasms from early in the game, had 33 points and 10 assists.
Utah backup guard Ronnie Price had to get four stitches for a cut over his right eye after he was flagrantly fouled early in the second quarter by Ronny Turiaf, who was ejected.
