New Orleans Hornets vs Phoenix Suns

New Orleans (3-5) at Phoenix (7-1)

Steve Nash(notes) has been outstanding lately for the red-hot Phoenix Suns, and Chris Paul(notes) may have trouble keeping up with the two-time MVP despite being 11 years his junior.

That matchup of point guards could be key, especially depending on Paul’s health, when the Suns are welcomed home by what should be a very appreciative crowd Wednesday night as they take on the New Orleans Hornets.

Paul twisted his left ankle shortly before halftime Monday night but returned in the third quarter to lead New Orleans to a 112-84 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He had 24 points and 10 assists despite sitting out the fourth.

The 24-year-old All-Star had a big bag of ice on the ankle after the game, and the injury could potentially hamper him Wednesday.

It was an important win for the Hornets (3-5), who one night earlier were blown out 104-88 by the Lakers for their fourth loss in five games.

“There’s still a long way to go in this season, and we have to get back to reaching our potential and doing our best,” Paul said.









Nash has been at his best recently despite being a few months away from turning 36. He’s leading the league with 12.6 assists per game and is coming off the NBA’s first 20-point, 20-assist game since he did it Jan. 2, 2006.

Nash scored 21 - about three above his average - and posted his second 20-assist game of the season Monday night in a 119-115 win at Philadelphia.

“I love the fact that everybody thinks he’s getting older and a step slower,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “We should all be so lucky as players to get older and be a step slower and still do what he does.”

Phoenix (7-1), coming off a season in which it missed the playoffs for the first time in five years, capped a 4-1 road trip which included victories over division leaders Boston and Miami.

“It was a great trip for us and it’s a great start to the season,” Nash said. “We weren’t really sure what to expect from this team out of the gates. We were disappointed last year obviously and we want to avenge that.”

Youth has won out lately when these star point guards have met, with New Orleans winning six of the last seven matchups as Paul has averaged 27.0 points and 12.1 assists. Nash has appeared in six of those games, averaging 20.5 points and 10.8 assists, but he’s also had 28 turnovers while Paul has 15.

Despite Paul ranking among the league leaders with 26.3 points and 9.8 assists per game, the Hornets would record their worst start since drafting him in 2005 if they lose Wednesday.

The Suns can post their best start since opening 11-1 in 1980-81. They also won seven of eight to begin 2000-01 but lost their next game.

Jason Richardson(notes) has averaged 28.3 points and gone 16 of 22 from 3-point range in three games since Phoenix suffered its only loss, 122-100 at Orlando last Wednesday.

“I think Jason Richardson has found his niche on our team,” Gentry said.

The top 3-point threat for New Orleans remains Peja Stojakovic(notes), who made his first start of the season Monday to replace Julian Wright(notes). Stojakovic hit two 3s and scored eight in the first quarter as the Hornets raced to a 10-point lead.

“I knew it would happen sooner or later,” coach Byron Scott said. “You got to a point where you’re tired of playing the way we’ve been playing, and the effort and the communication were better tonight.”