Heat Down Hornets, Cut Lead to 2-1 By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Hornets used defense and inspired play by their injured All-Star guard to get back into their opening-round playoff series. Baron Davis, nursing a sprained left ankle, had a team-high 21 points and the Hornets held Miami to 32.9 percent shooting in a 77-71 victory Saturday. The Heat now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Game 4 is Tuesday night in New Orleans. David Wesley shot 3-of-4 from 3-point range for 18 points, while the struggling Jamaal Magloire fought through constant double-teams for 12 points, including two free throws in the final minute that gave New Orleans a much-needed four-point cushion. New Orleans, coming off an embarrassing 93-63 loss in Game 2, led 59-50 early in the final period after George Lynch's baseline jump shot. Then Lamar Odom and Caron Butler combined to help Miami chip away. Odom had a putback, a pair of free throws and jumper before being hit in the head and needing six stitches, which kept him out of the game for about half the period. Butler picked up the slack, starting with a putback of his own miss with just over six minutes to go. He went on to hit a baseline jumper and six free throws, the last two cutting Miami's deficit to 73-71 with 1:47 left. But he then missed a 3 that would have given Miami the lead. On the other end, Magloire grabbed an offensive rebound in a crowd and got fouled, hitting both free throws to put New Orleans up 75-71 with 55 seconds to go. After Rafer Alston and Eddie Jones missed 3-pointers, Stacy Augmon was fouled after a rebound and iced the game with two more free throws. Butler finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Odom had 18. New Orleans had been hurt by turnovers leading to easy Miami baskets in the first two games. On Saturday, Miami scored just eight fast-break points and committed 17 turnovers, while New Orleans scored seven points on the fast break and turned the ball over only nine times. New Orleans was tough on defense early, holding Miami to 2-of-15 start from the field. But the Heat hung tight, and trailed just 19-14 at the end of the first. Miami's woeful shooting continued in the second quarter, however, as they finished the half shooting 31.6 percent and trailed 41-29 at halftime. Notes:@ P.J. Brown was presented with the Joe Dumars Trophy for the 2004 NBA sportsmanship award prior to the game. The award is voted on by NBA players. ... Davis was given a technical foul only 39 seconds into the game after stealing the ball from Dwyane Wade, then taunting him by stepping over him and stomping his foot. Before the quarter was over, Magloire and Brian Grant were jawing face-to-face and each received technicals. ... Miami's halftime score equaled their season low. It also was the lowest scoring half ever for a Hornets opponent in the playoffs. ... Davis left the game briefly early in the third period to have his ankle taped and limped often during the game. ... The game did not draw a sellout. Announced attendance was 14,251. ___ April 25, 2004 - 5:07 a.m. Copyright 2004, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. --

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