The New Orleans Hornets take on Phoenix Suns at home tonight, and in our 3-on-3 we break down the matchups to watch and make a few predictions.

1. Which matchup most favors the Suns?

Mason Ginsberg: These teams are about as evenly matched as any in the NBA, all the way down to having the same strengths at the same positions. With that being the case, I’ll default to SG, because I’ll take basically any starting 2-guard in the NBA over Belinelli at this point.

Chris Trew: It’s going to be really difficult for Smith to bang bodies with Charles Barkley all night but then again we’re also likely gonna see Dan Majerle connect from the arc all night long. I’ll go with Kevin Johnson.

Michael McNamara: I know ‘Mek has played well of late, but if you told me that one player on the Suns was going to outscore his counterpart by 15, I would guess that player would be Marcin Gortat. Gortat is the beneficiary of 5-6 beautiful passes from Nash a game that result in easy points or trips to the line and he has the skill set to score in a multitude of ways.

2. Which matchup most favors the Hornets?

Mason: PG by a hair. Steve Nash is playing tonight, but he’s coming back after missing his last game with a knee contusion (sound familiar?), so there’s a chance he may be just a bit slow. That being said, he’s also 7 assists shy of the Suns’ all-time assist record, so that will likely motivate him. Regardless, look for Jack to penetrate early and often to make Nash work on defense.

Chris: Our mascot dunker is better looking than their mascot dunker. Granted, I’ve never seen who on the inside of the costumes (if those are in fact costumes) but I’d rather take a road trip with Super Hugo than Go the Gorilla.

Michael: I’m with Mason. I actually like Jack in this matchup against Nash. Is he better than Nash? No, but he matches up well with him. Was Deron Williams better than CP3? No, but some matchups are just odd that way. I think Jack gets the best of Nash tonight.

3. Care to make some predictions about the game?

Mason: Nash gets his Suns assist record in a Hornets win. I’ll even say that New Orleans surpasses 100 points for just the second time all season.

Chris: The Sun finally comes out in New Orleans and I’m not talking about the UK tabloid or the Baltimore newspaper, I’m talking about the actual Sun (it’s been raining all day in New Orleans). Suns win 85-81. If I’m wrong I’ll eat a dozen char-broiled oysters that you buy me.

Michael: The Hornets looked good for a half against the Heat, and Phoenix does not have the kind of firepower Miami does. I’m going to say that Jack goes off for 25 and the Hornets take this one 92-84.