Big 3rd Quarter Surge Helps Hornets Sting Suns 104-91

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Wednesday’s game between the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets offered some contrasts in that the Suns were without two of their major players – Shaquille O’Neal (rest) and Steve Nash (the flu); nonetheless, the Suns were competitive for 2 1/2 quarters, but in the end, a 3rd quarter push by the Hornets would make all the difference as New Orleans earned a 104-91 win over Phoenix at New Orleans Arena.

The Suns trailed by only one at halftime and would take a 63-60 lead midway through the third quarter, capped by a dunk by Amare Stoudemire; their lead didn’t last very long as the Hornets’ Tyson Chandler dunked, which started an 11-1 run which included 3-pointers by Peja Stojakovic and Devin Brown. But the Suns’ Raja Bell briefly quieted that spurt down as he drained a trey, but Stojakovic responded with a fadeaway, which ignited a 11-2 Hornets run that gave them an 82-69 lead going into the final quarter.

A 3-pointer by Matt Barnes would pull Phoenix to within 87-76 early in the fourth period; later on, Grant Hill’s 3-point play brought the Suns to within 91-81 with 5:17 remaining. Chandler would retrieve Chris Paul’s miss for a dunk, then Stojakovic’s 3-pointer put New Orleans up for good, 96-84. New Orleans was led by Stojakovic and Paul with 24 points each – with Stojakovic making 5 three-pointers with 6 rebounds while Paul grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 15 assists along with 3 steals; David West added 23 with 14 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.

Phoenix’s high scorer was Stoudemire with 26 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal while Leandro Barbosa added 19 with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal; Hill chipped in, scoring 17 with 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. New Orleans (10-6) plays again on Saturday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies while Phoenix (11-8) travels to Dallas to take on the Mavericks Thursday night.

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