"(David West) always hit the game winners here," Paul said. "It just feels good to get a win... I told coach (Byron Scott) no timeout because we've been in that situation too many times. It's the same move (the previous possession) when they blocked it. I just got my body on him a little more."

Not happy

Center Tyson Chandler being traded to the Thunder didn't go over well in the Hornets' locker room.

"It really bothers me it came down to a business decision," West said. "Coach told us before the game, as much as we love him, this is a business. We've got to be ready to play, but it leaves a big question mark in the middle."

Paul said: "I'm going to miss him big time. That was my big fella. Everyone always talked about how much better I made him, but he made me a much better player. Without him I'm probably not the player I am now. Oklahoma City is getting a great player and an even better person."

Endorsing OKC

Thunder coach Scott Brooks bumped into Chandler last summer in southern California a few weeks after it was announced the Sonics were relocating to Oklahoma City.

"We asked him about the city and he just raved about the city," Brooks said. "It made my wife feel pretty comfortable. He had first-hand knowledge. Everyone else I talked to was, 'I've heard this,' but he lived here and loved it."

Briefly

Hornet players were humming "Give me the Green Light," the tune that's played following Jeff Green baskets. "That song is hot," said Rasual Butler. ... A Feed the Children truck collected 1,000 pounds of food and supplies before Tuesday's game in addition to $5,000 worth of items Homeland is donating to benefit Oklahoma tornado victims. ... Since Chandler isn't expected to play for a few games, Brooks said he expects the top seven players in the rotation to play most of the minutes. Chucky Atkins will be the eighth player until Chandler is cleared to play.