Scott Cody in Dallas writes:

Minutes before tip off... LOUD, packed house. Hornets are in their gold uniforms. I'll put it out there right now, I think this game goes to overtime. The Hornets are 4-and-0 in OT this season.

The hornets bench players, in tribute to the New Orleans fans I guess, stand until the bees score their first bucket. David West let them sit down.

Paul and West each hit their first shot, promising after they combined to go 10 for 38 in game three.

Tyson Chandler picked up his second foul. There's 8:30 still to play in the first. Byron Scott left him in teh game this time. Two quick fouls in game 3 put him on the bench. Although after playing soft on the inside with those two fouls, Scott had to bring in Hilton Armstrong at the 6:45 mark.

West is playing with purpose. He's taking it very aggressively to the hole and drawing fouls. The mavs have no answer for him right now. I expect Brandon Bass to be in shortly. He can muscle up with West all day.

Odd story to pass along. Earlier today I asked Avery Johnson about Brandon Bass. Avery's response: Brandon Who? I don't know Brandon Bass. No one could explain the response. Very weird.

On cue, Bass enters game at the 5:50 mark.

Two missed shots within five feet by West and Peja lead to a little run by the Mavs...22-16, 3:18 left. Time out New Orleans. I always like to watch a team out of a time out. This is where coaches, I believe, earn their money. Scoring plays out of timeouts are huge. Peja knocks down a wide open triple out of the break.

Jason Terry is starting to heat up. Bad news for the bees. In games the Mavs win over the Hornets, he has plays big.

30-23 mavs at the end of one. The hornets were down seven after one back in game three.

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