Paul, Posey lead Hornets to 3-0

Chris Paul had an overflow crowd on its feet before he’d even removed his warmups, showing off his Olympic gold medal during the pregame ceremonies for the Hornets’ home opener.

Now Paul seeks to add an NBA championship to his basketball resume and has to feel good about his chances with the help he’s getting from new teammate James Posey.

Paul had 24 points and 15 assists, and New Orleans remained perfect on the young season with a 104-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

David West added 25 points for New Orleans (3-0) and Posey scored 15 to go with his trademark clutch late-game defense and perimeter shooting.

Posey stole the ball from LeBron James and drove in for a breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter, then made a three-pointer as the shot clock wound down to put the Hornets up, 96-85, inside the final three minutes.

“Posey is making it tough on himself now because every time he misses he’s going to hear from me,” Paul said as Posey changed clothes within earshot a couple of lockers away.

The Hornets hope Posey, who helped Miami and Boston win a title in the past three years, can do the same in New Orleans.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas led Cleveland with 18 points, while James finished with 15 points and 13 assists.

James, sometimes guarded by Posey as he was in last season’s playoffs against Boston, said he “never really got into an offensive groove.”