It seems that every game recap I write contains the words “Chris Paul let the team carry the scoring load in the first half, and then kicked into gear in the second.”  In the Sixers recap, I noted that again, and Corndeaux brought up in the comments the fact that the announcers on ESPN/TNT broadcasts frequently talk about how Paul’s having a bad game at the half during Hornets games . . . which irritates him.  Well, I watch Hornets games on League Pass, so you can imagine how I feel since I almost always get the other team’s announcers.  They don’t say Paul’s having a bad game, they crow about how their team “did a great job on Paul in the first half!” 

Sorry.  They didn’t.  Paul doesn’t shift into gear until the second half.  He did it last year, and he’s doing it this year:

• In the first half of games Paul averages 7.4 points, 6 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 turnover.
• In the second half of games Paul averages 12.8 points, 5.3 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.5 turnovers.

Last year he did 9 and 5 in the first half, and 14 and 6 in the second.

So the only person holding Chris Paul to 7 and 6 in that first half?  It’s Chris Paul.