The New Orleans Hornets took a 3-2 lead over defending champions San Antonio Spurs with David West claiming 38 points in a 101-79 triumph on Wednesday.
New Orleans can secure victory over San Antonio in Thursday's game six after a superb display from West, who was hampered by a sore back throughout the game.
The Spurs were three points ahead at the half-way stage but could do little to contain the rampant West who also had 14 rebounds, while Chris Paul also picked up 22 for the Hornets.
The game turned New Orleans' way in the third quarter with the Hornets scoring 28 to San Antonio's 11.
Argentine Manu Ginobli picked up 20 points for the Spurs but San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said it had been New Orleans' defense that foiled his side.
"They deserve credit for their defense, it was their defense that made the difference in the third quarter," he said.
West said the success had been built on treating the game in a do-or-die manner.
"We had to treat this like a game seven -- we wanted to make sure we took care of it at home. We had to have an aggressive mentality and we made them uncomfortable all night and worked hard," said West.
