The home opener for the Phoenix Suns and coach Terry Porter did not go exactly according to plan Thursday night; The New Orleans Hornets dominated from the opening tip in annihilating the Suns 108-95 at US Airways Center.  And New Orleans managed to do this without Tyson Chandler who is out with a sprained ankle.

The Hornets made their first six shots in building a 14-2 lead as they went into the second frame with a 30-23 lead; meanwhile, the Suns went 1-of-7 and committed 7 turnovers in what can be described as an ugly 7 minutes of the second quarter.  New Orleans went on to build a 49-33 lead when Suns center Shaquille O’Neal was called for goaltending with 3 minutes to go in the half on a Chris Paul shot.  But the Suns would go on a 11-2 run which would reduce the Hornets’ lead to 51-44 with 41.1 seconds remaining in the half, but Paul sank a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left, giving New Orleans a 56-44 lead at halftime.

The Suns would score the first 7 points of the fourth period to reduce the Hornets’ advantage to 81-76 on a 9-footer by rookie Goran Dragic – his first NBA score; Grant Hill‘s basket would further cut into New Orleans’ lead 83-80 with 7:08 remaining in the game.  But James Posey would sink a trey, followed by a 3-pointer by Rasual Butler, then another 3-pointer by Posey to increase the Hornets’ lead to 92-83 with 4:46 left to go.  Butler’s second 3-pointer of the quarter made it 97-87 with 3:08 left in the game, sealing the deal for New Orleans.

Three Hornets scored 20 or more points, led by Morris Peterson with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals while Peja Stojakovic and Paul both scored 20 apiece – with Stojakovic adding three treys, 6 rebounds and an assist while Paul contributed 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals but 5 turnovers.  Phoenix was led by Steve Nash with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists but 7 turnovers while Amare Stoudemire added 21 with 12 rebounds and 2 assists.  New Orleans (2-0) plays again on Saturday when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers while Phoenix (1-1) hosts the Portland Trail Blazers – also on Saturday night.