NBA Betting: Chris Paul Beats Buzzer and Grizzlies in OT

A layup at the buzzer by Chris Paul was the difference for New Orleans. (AP Images)

If New Orleans is the Big Easy then maybe its star basketball player should be nicknamed L’il Easy. He sure does make the game look simple at times.

Chris Paul knocked down five three-pointers en route to a 43-point performance that lifted the Hornets to a 118-116 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in New Orleans on Friday night. Paul hit the winning shot with 1.8 seconds to go by dribbling through the Grizzlies’ interior defense to drop in a layup.

He had forced overtime by hitting two two freebies with 33.1 seconds to play in regulation. The win was the second in overtime this year over the Grizzlies and the Hornets’ 12th straight win in OT.

New Orleans was a seven-point favorite against the point spread. The betting total was way over 205.

In other NBA action on Friday night:

Chicago 98, Detroit 91: Former Piston Ben Wallace had 10 points and 13 rebounds as the Bulls pulled off the upset at the Palace in Auburn Hills. Chicago was an 8.5-point road underdog.

Indiana 115, Orlando 109: The Pacers won for the fifth time in six road games as Danny Granger racked up 27 points. Indiana was an eight-point underdog.

Phoenix 122, Washington 107: Steve Nash had a season-high 19 assists and Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points as the Suns stretched their winning streak to five games. They were seven-point favorites in the nation’s capital.

Boston 112, Toronto 84: The Celtics moved to 10-0 at home behind 23 points from Kevin Garnett. They also covered the 12.5-point spread.

Houston 96, New Jersey 89: Yao Ming (25 points) and Tracy McGrady (24) paced the Rockets to a win in East Rutherford, N.J., where they were five-point favorites.

Philadelphia 101, New York 90: The Sixers, who were four-point favorites, got 20 points from Samuel Dalembert as they bested the woeful Knicks in Philly.

For NBA odds for the weekend, alley-oop with the Bodog Sportsbook.