Hornets Surge Into Playoff Position

New Orleans forward Desmond Mason looks to pass as he is guarded by Seattle center Nick Collison on Friday. (Alex Brandon - AP)

Bobby Jackson scored 17 and Desmond Mason 10 for the Hornets, who weathered early season injuries and have now won 11 of 15 games to get back into playoff contention with 26 games left in the regular season.

Chandler's improved play has been a big part of New Orleans' resurgence. He's had a double-double in points and rebounds in all but one of the Hornets' 11 games this month.

"Tonight showed this team's character," Chandler said. "When things are not going your way offensively, you have to create other opportunities for yourself. We were scrappy out there creating offensive rebounds and we did other things to get the win."

The Hornets led by 11 in the first half, but Seattle chipped away with Watson hitting seven of his first eight shots for 15 points and Allen adding 12, trimming New Orleans' lead to 51-48 at the half.

Allen hit two jump shots and a free throw during an 11-0 Seattle run early in the third quarter that gave the Sonics their largest lead of the game at 61-54.

West then helped the Hornets tie the game at 66 by scoring eight points in a four-minute span before the teams began exchanging 3-pointers.

Allen hit two and Watson one late in the period, while Jackson hit two for the Hornets, the second with 1.5 seconds left in the period, to tie the score at 79 heading into the final quarter.

Notes:@ Chandler has at least 12 rebounds in each of his last 15 games, the longest such streak in Hornets history. ... Attendance for the game, the fifth of six in New Orleans this season, was announced at 17,961, about 200 short of a sellout. ... Seattle (21-33) has not had a winning streak longer than three games this season.