03/02/2009 - 12:15
Tip-in for the Win!
by Devon Jeffreys

Sometimes an extra effort goes a long way.

The Big Easy's heroic tip-in off a David West miss with 3.3 seconds remaining was the difference Friday night, as the Hornets held off a furious charge from the Milwaukee Bucks and took home a 95-94 victory at The Hive.

Hero (Getty Images).

Ty spoke about the importance of the big win afterward, as quoted on the Big Easy Buzz Blog:

“You never want to blow a lead like that. You kind of want to close out the game. You want to continue to be aggressive. I thought we kind of layed back, and that was why they were able to come back in the game. But we got a W, and I’d rather be happy in the locker room with a W then sad about a loss.”

Seconds before TC’s epic winner, New Orleans had fallen behind for the first time since the opening minute when Charlie Bell knocked down a wide open three to give the Bucks a 94-93 lead with 10.5 seconds to go.

The Hornets called a timeout to regroup and call their final play. The play went to West who pro-hopped into the lane and took a fall-away jumper. When the shot clanked off the back of the iron and bounded toward the floor below, it was up to No. 6 to save the day. Flanked by Bucks defenders, Ty reached out and shoveled the ball up toward the cylinder, off the glass and in. Tyson was quoted on his big play on the Big Easy Buzz Blog:

“I was planning on grabbing (the rebound), but I had the opportunity to tip it back up,” said Chandler, who wasn’t sure if this was his first career game winning shot in the NBA. “I knew David would get a clean look, so I was just thinking if he misses it, to make sure I gave my team the opportunity to win.”

To see highlights of Friday’s game including Ty’s game-winner, click here.

COACH’S CONFIDENCE
After calling the timeout to send in the new play, Byron Scott briefly considered removing TC for the final 10 seconds in favor of another jump shooter, but Scott stuck to his guns and it worked to perfection, as quoted on the Big Easy Buzz Blog:

“I am glad I didn’t listen to my assistants. They wanted to take Tyson out and put Posey in to have another shooter. I wanted Tyson on the board, and he was right there to tip it in.”

But Scott was still displeased with the total effort by his team and gave them all an earful after the game, Tyson was asked to describe what was said in family friendly words:

“That’s kind of hard, because maybe about two words out of 50 (weren’t profane),” Chandler said. “He wasn’t too happy. But he’s right. In situations like this, we’ve got to finish out games, if we want to be a championship team.”

FORCE IN THE LANE
Ty’s rebound/bucket to win the game added to his total for the night gave the Big Easy 14 points and nine boards. No. 6 finished the game 5-7 from the floor and 4-6 from the line. He also added two shot swats for good measure.

Niall Doherty at Hornets 247 also noted that Milwaukee’s altered shot selection and frequency of missed shots in the paint may have been Tyson’s handiwork:

“I’m guessing his presence was also a large factor in the Bucks missing so many shots in the lane, especially in the first half.”

ANOTHER BIG BOARD
After Friday’s heart stopping win, Tyson and the boys hit the road for New Jersey where, thanks to another big rebound by No. 6, they were able to take down the Nets 99-96 on Sunday night.

The Big Easy finished with seven points and 12 boards, six on each side of the glass, but one of those boards provided the biggest boost, as noted at Nets Insider:

“Chandler was being bodied by Vince Carter, but his size advantage allowed him to back-tap an offensive rebound that led to two foul shots and a three-point lead with 9.6 seconds left in a game the Hornets pulled out, 99-96.”

It was yet another strong performance in a string of them by Ty since he returned to the Hornets lineup last week. New Orleans is a perfect 4-0 in that span and everyone is taking notice: Here’s a Ty tidbit from the guys At the Hive:

“Tyson Chandler continued his rebounding tear since returning. 6 more offensive boards against impressive rookie Brook Lopez is nothing to sneeze at. And his CCC and subsequent stare down of the cameraman was awesome.”

Tyson and CP connected for three Crescent City Connections in this weekend’s two wins.

TY ON THE PODCAST
Also, over at the Times-Picayune, Hornets beat writer John Reid and sports staffer Kevin Spain take a look at Ty’s recent surge and talk to the Big Easy about his return from injury in their latest podcast. An excerpt:

Spain: This is about the time you guys turned it on last year, are you guys gearing up, hopefully, for the same kind of run?
Ty: Definitely so, hopefully for a better run this year. I feel this is the time when you want to start turning things around and getting things going in the right direction. This would be a great time to run off some games in a row and put together a nice winning streak.
Spain: Looks like you and CP just picked up right where you left off didn’t you?
Ty: Yeah, yeah, except I need to get into a little better shape to keep up with him (laughing). He’s speeding down the floor and kind of pulling me a long with him. Once I get in better shape we’ll be a lot better off.

To listen to the whole podcast, including more from No. 6 and analysis of Ty’s last few games through the eyes of Hornets beat writer John Reid, click here.

NEXT UP
The Hornets complete the second half of a back-to-back tonight when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. PST an all the action can be seen live in New Orleans on CST.

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