San Antonio Spurs

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Brent Barry was nearly off the team. Now the San Antonio Spurs can't wait to get him off their bench.

Barry made four 3-pointers and all six shots from the floor in a reserve role, and San Antonio beat the fading New Orleans Hornets 96-81 on Tuesday night.

Barry was informed by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich before last month's trade deadline that it was possible he would be dealt.

``He's been important for us,'' Popovich said. ``(He's) taking advantage of opportunities and shooting when open. He's been driving, rebounding, just playing good defense.''

Barry scored 16 points, which matched his season high recorded four days earlier against the Lakers.

Tony Parker scored 20 points and had 11 assists.

The Spurs (50-14) maintained a share of the lead in the Southwest Division and the top record in the Western Conference with the Dallas Mavericks, who beat Cleveland 91-87 on Tuesday.

``I've got no choice but to (watch the standings),'' Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. ``Every time I walk into the practice facility it's right there, so I know what's going on.''

The Hornets (31-32) have lost a season-worst seven straight games and are 2-9 since the All-Star break. They have fallen below .500 for the first time since Jan. 28 and are 0-6 in March - with Tuesday's game being only the second one on the road this month.

``When you get punctured and open a wound, you have to stop the bleeding,'' Hornets center Marc Jackson said. ``Like a boxer, you have to dig in and keep coming forward. You can't get on your heels.''

Jackson and Chris Paul each scored 16 points for the Hornets, who trailed by seven points with 7:43 left in the game but were outscored 17-9 the rest of the way.

Jackson, acquired in a trade with New Jersey on Feb. 23, made his first four shot attempts to help the Hornets get off to a fast start. They opened the game 8-of-11, but made 10 of 25 the rest of the half.

San Antonio outscored the Hornets 43-25 the rest of the first half to take a 13-point lead to the locker room.

Barry, who came off the Spurs' bench with the Hornets holding a five-point lead, went 4-of-4 in the half, with three of those 3-pointers. He added three assists and a blocked shot in 23 minutes.

He's been on the floor more since the trade deadline, when other teams involved in possible deals couldn't make room on their salary cap to fit Barry.

``I'm getting more time on the floor, and that helps to find a rhythm,'' Barry said.

The Spurs coaching staff had a message for the team at halftime. The number 50 was written and circled on a board in the locker room.