DID CHRIS PAUL CAPTURE THE MVP WEDNESDAY NIGHT?

LeBron James' driving layup had given the Cavaliers a 99-98 lead with 7.7 seconds left. Then Chris Paul took over, driving toward the basket and drawing in defenders. With less than a second remaining, Paul quickly flipped the ball behind him to a wide-open David West for a 17-foot jumper. The 17-foot Assassin, as Paul likes to call West, was true to form, and the Hornets walked away with a 100-99 win and, more importantly, the lead in the Western Conference. With 15 points and an astounding 20 assists, none more astounding than his last one to West, Paul overshadowed James’ near-heroics and walked away with a firm grasp on MVP title. It was his second 20-assist game this year. Time and time again this season, Paul has shown up in big games against major opponents. That is why at 49-21 the Hornets are tops in the West. Their 10-3 record in March compares favorably with the 11-3 Celtics, who have an MVP candidate of their own, Kevin Garnett. K.G. scored 30 last night as the Celtics outplayed ... (link)