76ers spoil Paul's return to Hornets

Andre Iguodala scored 22 points, Samuel Dalembert grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Philadelphia's dominant effort on the boards, and the 76ers spoiled Chris Paul's return with a 89-78 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.

Joe Smith added 12 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, and Steven Hunter had 12 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia held a 58-40 advantage on the boards.

New Orleans was ineffective on offense in Paul's first game after a monthlong absence with a sprained right ankle. Devin Brown, relegated to the bench after Paul's return, had 17 points to lead the Hornets. Tyson Chandler, David West, Desmond Mason and Rasual Butler all scored 10 points, and Chandler also had 15 rebounds.

Paul had nine points and two assists in 29 minutes.

The Hornets, who allowed the 76ers to grab a 19-point, first-half lead in a 102-96 loss in Philadelphia a week earlier, got 20 points down early in the second half before mounting another unsuccessful comeback.

Philadelphia built its advantage by outscoring New Orleans 43-19 in a stretch from early in the second quarter until midway through the third. The 76ers outscored New Orleans 21-6 to end the first half, and the advantage was 45-34 at halftime after Willie Green grabbed Iguodala's airballed jumper and put back the rebound.

Philadelphia then added a 16-7 run early in the second half, fueled by seven points from Iguodala, and led 67-47 after his jumper from the right side.

Hunter missed a chance at an alley-oop dunk on Philadelphia's next possession, and the Hornets responded by scoring 10 of the next 12 points to get within 69-57. The 76ers didn't make a field goal in the final 4 1/2 minutes of the third quarter.

New Orleans got as close as eight on Hilton Armstrong's putback that made it 73-65 early in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia bounced right back with a 12-2 run to put the game out of reach.

Besides the rebounding disparity, the 76ers also benefited from a 23 extra trips to the free throw line. The Sixers made 24 of 31 foul shots, while the Hornets converted only five of their eight free throws.

Notes:@ It was the second double-double of the season for Hunter, who was traded to New Orleans last season in a deal that was rescinded due to issues with Hunter's physical for the Hornets. ... The Hornets let their option for a third season in Oklahoma City lapse on Wednesday. ... Paul didn't get his first assist until the final minute of the first half, when he set up West for a foul line jumper. ... New Orleans committed a season-low five turnovers.