The New Orleans Hornets erupted after star guard Chris Paul was taken off the court on a stretcher on Sunday, storming past the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-81 on the road.

Paul was placed in a neck brace and wheeled off the court with 4:36 left in the third quarter. Paul’s forehead collided with Ramon Sessions and he went down immediately. The Hornets' guard was responsive and attentive, but was taken to a hospital for precautionary measures.

New Orleans responded by outscoring Cleveland by a 20-5 margin over the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth. David West had 23 points and Marco Belinelli had 18, while Paul finished with 13 points and 11 assists.

Baron Davis had 17 points off the bench for the Cavaliers, who were trying for their second winning streak of the season and their first since early November.

Sessions had 15 points while J.J. Hickson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland.

The Hornets entered the contest allowing the third-fewest points in the league. They clamped down defensively after the injury to their leader, holding Cleveland to 20 points over the final 16 1/2 minutes.