OKLAHOMA CITY – Tyson Chandler scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and the New Orleans Hornets bounced back after Boston’s quick start to overwhelm the Celtics 106-88 on Monday night.

The Celtics couldn’t miss at the start, but then had only nine points in the second quarter – their lowest total in a quarter this season – as the Hornets took control.

Jannero Pargo hit a 3-pointer to break a 34-34 tie, and Rasual Butler and Devin Brown followed with 3s to spark New Orleans’ 21-4 second-quarter run.

Boston trailed by 17 at halftime and was never closer than 15 after that. After Paul Pierce’s jumper got the Celtics within 66-51 midway through the third period, New Orleans scored 20 of the next 25 points to go up 86-56 on Chandler’s two free throws in the closing seconds of the quarter.

Boston got nine straight points against Hornets reserves to get within 88-67, but that’s as close as it got. Butler scored eight of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and New Orleans ended up with five players in double figures.

Chris Paul added 15 points, David West scored 12 and Desmond Mason had 11 as the Hornets got their second-most lopsided win of the season. New Orleans moved within 11/2 games of Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Pierce, who didn’t play in the fourth period, scored 28 points to lead the Celtics. He has averaged 29 points in his last three games. Allan Ray with 12 points and Gerald Green scored 11 as reserves.

AP-ES-03-19-07 2225EDT