http://www.nba.com/games/20031231/NOHBOS/recap.html New Orleans 96, Boston 94 Hornets Hold Off Late Boston Charge BOSTON, Dec. 31 (Ticker) -- Baron Davis had 29 points and 10 assists and backcourt mate David Wesley added 22 points as the New Orleans Hornets halted a four-game road losing streak with a 96-94 victory over the Boston Celtics. Davis and Wesley combined for 18 points in the fourth quarter, when the Hornets built an eight-point lead and held off Boston to win for the third time in five games following a season-high three-game losing streak. "We had our confidence back," Wesley said. "We had our defensive swagger back and we felt that we could go out on the road and get victories. We can score the basketball and we can get shot opportunities tonight was one of those nights where we struggled in the first half with our shot and the second half we got some open looks." Wesley made 7-of-14 shots, including half of his eight attempts from the arc, against his former team. The 6-1 Wesley, who spent three seasons with the Celtics, made 4-of-4 free throws. The Hornets made 20-of-32 free throws, while the Celtics were just 10-of-18. "We got to the line tonight which was significant," New Orleans coach Tim Floyd said. "We didn't make many but we got there and I think that's a positive for our basketball club. I thought our shot selection down the stretch was better than it has been in the last two road games." Jiri Welsch scored 17 points and Mike James added 15 for Boston, which shot under 42 percent (33-of-79) and lost for the third time in as many meetings with New Orleans this season. Ricky Davis, who scored eight points off the bench, hit a 3-pointer to pull the Celtics within 96-94 with 2.8 seconds to play. Hornets forward George Lynch took the ensuing inbounds pass but lost the ball out of bounds, giving the Celtics a chance to win. But Welsch's attempted alley-oop to Ricky Davis from half-court fell short. Despite the turnover, Lynch had a solid game. He scored 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and helped limit Celtics star Paul Pierce to 14 points - tying his season low. In the three games against New Orleans, Pierce has made just 19-of-55 shots. "They did a good job of denying me the ball," Pierce said. "I really couldn't get a rhythm in the game. There are going to be nights like that. They dedicate themselves to defense on that ball club. Lynch denies you, he's strong and it's tough to really post him up. He gives you a different look because he's more athletic than a lot of guys and he's bigger." Pierce made just 4-of-16 shots to offset a solid outing by Mark Blount. The center grabbed eight rebounds and scored 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting. "Even the great ones struggle and have tough nights," James said of Pierce's . Our guys have got to be ready and pick up the slack. We've done that for the most part. We just missed some crucial shots down the stretch, maybe some calls didn't go our way or the ball didn't roll our way." New Orleans shot just 33 percent (13-of-39) in the first half, but connected on 5-of-12 from the arc and held a 40-36 advantage. --

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