(Sports Network) - Peja Stojakovic nailed 7-of-11 three-point tries and recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds to carry New Orleans to a 110-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Darren Collison, filling in for the injured Chris Paul (ankle), scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, while Marcus Thornton and Devin Brown each chipped in 19 points for the Hornets, who have won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Emeka Okafor finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the win.

"Anytime you get late into a game in that situation, you have to grow (as a team). David West and Devin Brown helped me by talking to me throughout the game, and that takes a load off of me. At this point, we just had to focus and get the win," said Collison.

Amare Stoudemire led seven Suns in double figures with 23 points, and Jared Dudley hit five three-pointers en route to a 17-point effort for Phoenix, which dropped just its third game this season.

Steve Nash doled out 10 assists to go with 13 points in defeat.

"I don't think there was anything that happened that we didn't warn our guys about. They (the Hornets) were embarrassed by the way they performed at our place, you knew they were going to play better here. No doubt in my mind; Chris Paul, or no Chris Paul, it doesn't matter," said Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry.

There were several lead changes in the final quarter, as Stojakovic's three- pointer with 2:49 left broke a 96-all tie. Jason Richardson followed with a missed trey, and Collison hit from beyond the arc for a 102-96 Hornets lead.

Dudley hit two free throws to cut the margin to four, and after an unsuccessful Hornets possession, Richardson missed a three and a runner in the lane with under a minute remaining.

Collins' driving bucket at the other end sealed the game's outcome.

New Orleans started the game on a 15-2 run, but the Suns ended the opening quarter strong to cut their deficit to 26-22.

The Hornets led at halftime, 52-49, and a back-and-forth third quarter ended with the hosts holding a 78-76 edge.

Consecutive three-pointers from Dudley and Leandro Barbosa in the early stages of the fourth gave the Suns the lead, and it was nip-and-tuck the rest of the way.

Game Notes

The Hornets outrebounded the Suns, 56-38, and made 13-of-25 from three-point range...Richardson ended with 16 points for the Suns, who received 11 points and 10 rebounds from Channing Frye. Barbosa and Grant Hill added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss...There were 13 lead changes in the game, six coming in the final quarter.



Copyright 2009 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend