Scanning the blogs and beats following the Spurs' 110-99 win over the Hornets in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals ...

Buck Harvey, SA Express-News: "Maybe this is how you counter Paul and his 35 points. You get your starting backcourt to score 62. Matching Parker's 31 points was the guard who started next to him. And this was Popovich's adjustment, along with cutting his rotation down to seven players. Popovich did something similar in 2005. That year Ginobili had been a starter all season, and, not coincidentally, he was an All-Star then. But after losing the first playoff game of the postseason, to Denver, Popovich benched Ginobili to create a different dynamic. Some called it a desperation move. Some said the same of Thursday night's move. But both times Ginobili shrugged, did what was asked and changed the outlook."

Hornets 24/7: "The Spurs' execution was excellent tonight, leading to 28 assists. They were driving and dishing and swinging and driving until they found the open man. After having countered that by determined scrambling in games 1 and 2, the Hornets weren't able to keep up with it this game."

Mike Finger, SA Express-News: "The Spurs can’t stop Chris Paul, and they know it. But the moment they gave up trying was also the moment they gave themselves a chance to win this series. Four NBA championship banners hang in the AT&T Center, raised to the rafters mainly with blocked shots, rebounds and defensive stops. If there is to be a fifth, it will be lifted on layups and jumpers and a willingness to run when others expected the Spurs to walk."

At The Hive: "Bruce Bowen switched off the Paul assignment onto Peja, and the stat sheet won’t show how much Bruce hindered Predrag. Yes, Bowen’s the dirtiest player in the league. But he’s also unmistakably a difference maker defensively. He fought through numerous screens and made sure he knew where Peja was in transition. Do those two things and you’ll limit Peja every time. One thing the Serb did do well: taking Bowen off the dribble. He did it three times (surprisingly easily) and we may need a little more of that in Game 4."

John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune: "There's reason to be wary, obviously, but no need yet for the Hornets to tremble. One critical fact remains unchanged: New Orleans has home-court advantage and doesn't have to win a game in San Antonio. It would be nice, of course. It would probably lead to a quick conclusion of the series, would give the team a chance to rest, depending on the outcome of the Lakers-Utah series, and further stamp the Hornets as something special. But winning at the AT&T Center is a luxury for the Hornets, a necessity for the Spurs. For New Orleans, holding serve means holding on, and holding on means advancing."

Pounding The Rock: "If you're looking for more Paul praise go to a Hornets blog ESPN.com any other basketball-related website. BUTOHMYFREAKINGGODWHENDIDHESTARTFLOPPINGSODAMNEDMUCH???? Yes, the Spurs are the rulers of Flopdom. I therefore cannot begrudge him his grandiose attempts at coaxing a foul call from the refs. But I do begrudge him the title of The Righter of All Spur's Wrongs and Saviour of the NBA. If flopping is a scourge then Paul is one of the infectious agents. At one point, after getting a nothing of an elbow from Oberto, he proceeded to attempt a triple sow chow down the lane. It was shocking, appalling and it almost made me throw my flip-flop at my plasma t.v."

Terry Kider, The Times-Picayune: "The Spurs have never recovered to win a playoff series after losing the first two games, a fact that Scott said scared him before Game 3, especially after seeing the Hornets accomplish so many firsts this season. ... In case they needed a reminder, the Hornets got it in the second half. The Spurs completed an 11-0 run that carried through about the midway point of the fourth quarter. That was enough for the Spurs to overcome a first half that somewhat resembled the two previous games in the series."

The Times-Picayune: "It's not unusual for professional athletes to do good works. But some seem more interested in burnishing their image than in enriching a fan's life. Hornets point guard Chris Paul isn't one of those athletes. By all accounts he is a genuinely nice guy. The tribute he planned for a young fan is more evidence of that. When Mr. Paul learned that 8-year-old Brian lost his battle with cancer this week before getting to see the Hornets in person, he decided to write the child's name on his shoes for Thursday night's game."

Related: The Internets are alive, 2008 NBA Playoffs