The New Orleans Hornets found a way to cool off the red-hot Boston Celtics on Saturday, coming from behind the beat the team with the best record in the NBA 113-106.

The Celtics came into New Orleans having just completed a sweep of three games in Texas that made them the first team to beat the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks on the same trip in seven years.

But they blew an early 15-point lead and fell to the young and talented Hornets, leaders of the Southwest Division.

"We know they were coming in hot," Hornet David West said after scoring 37 points in his team's ninth straight home victory.

"They beat all three Texas teams. We just wanted to play hard tonight."

Boston started its five-game road trip with a win at Milwaukee and swept through Texas before jumping to their big lead on Saturday. But the Celtics turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 32 New Orleans points and Boston's loss dropped their record to 55-14.

"Tonight it was just turnovers," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "We were really careless with the ball. They played harder, played with more energy and they deserved to win."

The win moved the Hornets to one-half game behind the idle Los Angeles Lakers for the Western Conference lead.

While a 4-1 road trip is special in the NBA, the Celtics returned home after the game knowing they easily could have won all five games.

"I told the guys 'good trip,' but we lost a game that we gave away on turnovers," Rivers said. "I don't know why we would feel good about that."

New Orleans Most Valuable Player candidate Chris Paul was limited to 29 minutes because of foul trouble but was there at the end with two big baskets to finish with 19 points. While he was out, his replacement Jannero Pargo became a key to the victory.

Paul Pierce scored 16 of his 28 points in the first quarter, Rajon Rondo contributed 23 and Kevin Garnett 19 points and 12 rebounds for Boston.

The teams meet again on Friday in Boston.

Reuters