The Hornets get started on a three-game home stand tonight at New Orleans Arena, trying to come to terms with the news that Chris Paul will miss at least a month with that knee injury.

The Suns come in with a 28-21 record and are just a game ahead of the Hornets in the standings. They’ve lost five of their last six on the road, with that lone win coming last night against the Rockets in overtime. Amare Stoudemire led Phoenix in that one with 36 points and 11 boards, while fellow All-Star Steve Nash delivered 11 points and 16 assists.

The Suns will be without Leandro Barbosa (wrist surgery), while the Hornets will of course be without Chris Paul and James Posey (strained Achilles).

This is the third meeting of the season between these teams. The Hornets got blown out in Phoenix on November 11 when the Suns had eight players score in double figures, hit thirteen triples and were +16 on the boards. The Hornets would get revenge a week later in New Orleans, when Peja Stojakovic sank seven long bombs and the rookies came up big in Chris Paul’s third game out with an ankle injury. The Hornets will need strong performances from Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton again tonight if they hope to win this one.

Game tips at 7 Central. Numbers:

Pace: Suns 98.7 (3rd), Hornets 94.2 (20th)
Offensive Efficiency: Suns 111.3 (1st), Hornets 104.8 (14th)
Defensive Efficiency: Suns 108.5 (29th), Hornets 105.4 (19th)

Linkage:

• Earlier on the blog: Collison and Thornton: A New Hope
• Lagniappe: A listing of some D-Leaguers Jeff Bower might have his eye on
  
• Rival bloggers: Bright Side of the Sun | Valley of the Suns (THN)

(Many thanks to Dariusz for today’s banner featuring Michael Adams, who ran back-up point for the Hornets back in the mid-90’s. Be sure to check out more of Dariusz’s designs in our Wallpapers vault.)