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Hornets hurt Rockets’ playoff hopes, 105-99 in OT

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Hornets hurt Rockets' playoff hopes, 105-99 in OTHouston Rockets point guard Goran Dragic (3) drives to the basket against New Orleans Hornets small forward Al-Farouq Aminu (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Thursday, April 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(Credit: AP)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Eric Gordon scored 27 points, Carl Landry had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Hornets dealt a blow to Houston’s playoff hopes with a 105-99 overtime victory Thursday night, the Rockets’ sixth straight loss.

Goran Dragic scored 23 points and Chase Budinger tied a season-high with 22 points for Houston (32-31), which dropped one game behind Utah (33-30) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with three games left.

Al-Farouq Aminu scored 17 points, Marco Belinelli had 13 points, and Gustavo Ayon had nine points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which went ahead for good in the overtime with a 9-0 run.

The Hornets have won seven of 10 games when losing would have enhanced their chances of winning the NBA’s draft lottery.

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