SAN ANTONIO -- For all the talk about how young and inexperienced Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets are -- they've done this before.

It was in the first round.

Courtesy of the Associated Press

The Hornets went up 2-0 on the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the playoffs, then lost by double digits on the road in game three.

So far, it's been the same against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.

In the first round, the Hornets fell to the Mavericks 97-87 in Game 3 before pulling it together to eliminate their opponent in five games.

On Thursday, the Spurs beat the Hornets 110-99 to avoid falling into an 0-3 hole from which no NBA team has recovered.

New Orleans coach Byron Scott said he's a little more disappointed in the Game 3 loss in the second round.

Game four is Sunday night in San Antonio.

The Spurs took Friday off to rest.