Relatively new to the postseason stage, the New Orleans Hornets — displaying a poise beyond their years — found themselves a half-quarter away from introducing the San Antonio Spurs to a 0-2 series hole, a conundrum they hadn’t seen since 2001. In search of ways to keep the NBA’s defending champions at arm’s length, New Orleans, understandably, conquered the task through an alley-oop that could only be reasonably reached by one man. Confirmed as one of his generation’s most accomplished two-way talents around the rim, Tyson Chandler puts forth a timely example in Game Two, stepping into a close-to-unguardable pick-and-roll combination alongside his All-Star floor general. Precise in his timing, Chandler eases his race to the rim, ultimately elevating into a powerful alley-oop flush to send New Orleans’ crowd into a celebratory frenzy. Buoyed by a dominant post-halftime stretch, the Hornets hustled their way into an 18-point win, and a commanding series edge over their once-favorited opponents. Notable in his role, Chandler offered five points — all within the game’s final eight minutes — on two-of-two shooting, alongside 11 rebounds, one steal, two blocks, and a game-high +35 plus-minus. · May 5, 2008