NEW ORLEANS — David West scored 32 and Chris Paul had 12 during a decisive run in the third quarter as the New Orleans Hornets clinched the Southwest Division by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 114-92 today.

The Hornets will have at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference.

Hornets coach Byron Scott earned his 300th career victory. The Hornets finished 30-11 at home for the third time in franchise history. The club record is 32-9, set in 1997-98.

After losing three of its last four, New Orleans struggled for a half against the reeling Clippers before putting them away with 26-6 spurt in the third quarter. The Clippers have lost six in a row and are 4-25 in their last 29 games.

Trailing 56-51 after Cuttino Mobley's 3-pointer early in the third quarter, the Hornets scored 12 of the next 14 points to take the lead for good, then pulled away quickly.

Paul started the run with a lay-up off a Clippers turnover. Peja Stojakovic, who missed his first six 3-pointers, hit two in a row to give New Orleans a 63-58 lead. Paul followed with four consecutive baskets to extend the advantage to 71-62, and Morris Peterson gave the Hornets their first double-digit lead, 74-62, on a 3-pointer with 3:11 left in the quarter.

Sixteen seconds later, Tyson Chandler was fouled on a dunk and hit the free throw, making the score.

New Orleans led by at least 12 the rest of the way and poured it on in the fourth quarter, going ahead by as many as 31.

Paul finished with 22 points and 12 assists, while Tyson Chandler added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Julian Wright scored all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter.

Rookie Al Thornton led the Clippers with 26 points. Corey Maggette contributed 13 off the bench.