New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul has turned 23 and had a low-key birthday.

The big surprise party might happen tomorrow night, if Paul and his team beat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs yet again.

They would pick up a Game 3 win to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Hornets are poised to do so. They won in dominant fashion in Games 1 and 2 as the Spurs turned over the ball, missed open shots and looked slow next to the energetic Hornets.

Paul said the Hornets, playing with seemingly unwavering confidence as they've compiled a 6-1 playoffs record so far, are
close-knit off the court, something that helps them when the chips are down on it.

The Spurs said they need to improve the little things in Game 3.

Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili say they expect the Spurs to be more physical in Game 3. The two will try to be more aggressive in
getting to the rim, something that's been a challenge so far as the Hornets have crowded the lane to force perimeter shooting.