Can the Spurs tie their second round series with the Hornets in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Playoffs?

Reality has set in.

After earning a shocking upset of the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs, and winning the first two games of their second round series with the defending champions from San Antonio by at least 18 points, the Hornets had a dose of reality after the Spurs handed them with a 110-99 loss in Texas that cut their series lead to 2-1.

Yes, the defending champs, San Antonio Spurs, finally earned their first win in the second round, beating the Hornets 110-99 behind the 62 points from Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

The New Orleans Hornets couldn't do anything as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili scored 31 points each to overshadow CP3's game-high 35 points for the visiting New Orleans team.

Both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili kept the Spurs in the game during the first half before they put the Hornets away for good in the second half, outscoring New Orleans 29-22 in the third and again 27-21 in the fourth.

Sure, Chris Paul was simply perfection for New Orleans, with his 35 points and nine assists, but the fact of the matter is, it's really tough to beat the defending champions on their own turf. The win let the Spurs avoid a 0-3 hole from which no NBA team has made it back to win a playoff series.

Spurs forward Tim Duncan was also big, literally and figuratively, for San Antonio after coming up with a massive double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds, to fuel the defending champions back in this best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is this Sunday as the Spurs try to even the series at two games apiece. Of course, the Hornets would love to take a commanding 3-1 advantage with the series shifting back to New Orleans on Tuesday.

It should be one helluva' game.

Who will win the NBA title in the 2007-08 NBA basketball season? AcesAce Sportsbook has the odds.

San Antonio Spurs EVEN +350

Cleveland Cavaliers EVEN +1,300

Boston Celtics EVEN +450

Detroit Pistons EVEN +1,000

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New Orleans Hornets San Antonio Spurs