NEW ORLEANS — Where the Hornets would be without four-time All-Star Chris Paul is anyone’s guess.

With him, they’ve become a major headache for the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, who won’t get out of the first round of the playoffs without playing at least six games and taking another trip back to the Big Easy.

Paul had 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds, and New Orleans held on for a 93-88 victory Sunday night that evened their first-round playoff series against the Lakers at 2-2.

“He’s maybe 6 feet and he had 13 rebounds,” said Hornets swingman Trevor Ariza, who added 19 points. “He played unbelievable. He’s made our team go all year. He’s carried us when we were down.”

Celtics 101, Knicks 89Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 21 points and 12 assists, and the Boston Celtics swept their way into the Eastern Conference semifinals, holding on for a 101-89 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.Ray Allen and reserve Glen Davis each added 14 points for the Celtics, the first team into the second round after sweeping a series for the first time since a 3-0 victory over Indiana in 1992, the last series victory for their old Big Three before Larry Bird retired.

76ers 86, Heat 82Lou Williams hit a 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left to lead Philadelphia over Miami and avoid a sweep.Miami was 95 seconds away from winning Game 4, holding an 82-76 lead.LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the rest of the Heat didn’t score again.

Hawks 88, Magic 85Jamal Crawford scored 25 points and Joe Johnson hit four big free throws in the final 20 seconds after Atlanta struggled most of the night at the line, leading the Hawks to a victory over the Magic and a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.The Hawks will try to wrap up the best-of-seven series Tuesday night.