Even if they had fouled immediately, Paul would have hit the 2 free throws and made it a 3 point game. SA would have had to hit a 3 and then hope that NO didn't make the game winning shot at the end. Or it would have gone to OT and then its 50/50 again.
He had the odds stacked way against him either way but that daggered it. I was watching the game and when Paul split Parker and Bowen (i think the other guy was Bowen), it didn't look like he was fouled. Then when Paul knew he was going to get fouled he just jumped and threw the ball at the rim. It was just a great play.
But I do feel bad for the guy, to get that far and lose is crushing.