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New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul (center) shoots over Phoenix Suns small forward Jared Dudley.

Interestingly, New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, upon a return from an injury, always seems to do better than prior to suffering said injuries.

Case in point is the last three games prior to the Hornets’ game Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Arena; since returning from a mild concussion, Paul has averaged just under 29 PPG and 11 APG.

The game itself was relatively close, until Paul and David West converted free throws with 21 seconds left, enabling New Orleans to send Phoenix to their fourth straight defeat by the score of 100-95.

The Suns had the early advantage at 29-24 on Jared Dudley’s inside basket; the game would turnb around completely as Paul scored seven straight points to finish out the first quarter.

The Paul barrage started a 18-3 Hornets run, highlighted by Quincy Pondexter’s 3-pointer, giving New Orleans a 42-32 lead early in the second quarter. Dudley’s trey snapped the Hornets’ surge and Phoenix got as close as 48-46 on a Vince Carter 3-pointer before Paul took over again, hitting a jumper and a 3 as New Orleans scored the last eight points of the half to head to their locker room with a 56-46 lead.

The Hornets had their largest lead  at 71-52 following an 11-0 run that began when Paul found Marco Belinelli for a 3; Paul then used a hesitation dribble for an easy layup, and capped the barrage with a pull-up jumper.

The Suns narrowed the gap to 77-65 on a Carter turnaround jumper and another Dudley 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter.

Phoenix continued to chip away at their deficit on 3s by Dudley, Mickael Pietrus, Grant Hill and Carter, the last one cutting New Orleans’ lead to 91-86 and setting up an exciting finish.

But free throws by Paul and West with 21 seconds left to go ensured the Hornets’ victory.

Paul led the Hornets with 28 points, along with 5 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals while Emeka Okafor and West each scored 16 – with Okafor grabbing 11 rebounds, along with a block while West grabbed 9 caroms and dished out 4 assists.

Dudley came off the bench to lead the Suns with 25 points (including five 3-pointers), along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists while Carter added 21 (including five treys) with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Hill chipped in 15 with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block.

New Orleans (40-30) remains at home to host the Boston Celtics on Saturday while Phoenix (33-33) returns home to host the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.