(My Sportsbook) - The
Phoenix Suns open a short two-game road swing Wednesday when they arrive in the Big Easy to take on the
New Orleans Hornets.
The Suns lost their second straight game Sunday when New Jersey's Devin Harris poured in a career-high 47 points to lead the Nets to a 117-109 victory over Phoenix at US Airways Center.
Harris was a perfect 17-of-17 from the foul line and hit on 14-of-25 field goal attempts to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds. His 21 fourth-quarter points was just three shy of Phoenix's total output in the final frame.
It was New Jersey's first win in Phoenix in 15 years, having come up empty since it last posted a victory on March 19, 1993 -- just two short months after Bill Clinton was elected as the 42nd president of the U.S. and the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
Amare Stoudemire had 25 points and 12 rebounds before being ejected with 3:24 left in the game after having words with officials following a brief tangle with Yi Jianlian. He had earlier received a technical, and the ejection was automatic with his second.
The Suns had a three-game winning streak halted on Friday in a setback to the Heat and have now dropped consecutive games for the second time this season. Phoenix played without two-time MVP Steve Nash in the Miami loss due to a bruised right thigh, but had its superstar guard back in the lineup on Sunday, receiving 26 points and nine assists that went for naught.
Matt Barnes netted 18 points and grabbed eight caroms in the loss.
The Hornets, meanwhile, lost for the first time in five games last Friday when Portland's Brandon Roy logged a terrific all-around effort with 25 points, 10 assists and six rebounds to carry the Blazers to a 101-86 victory over New Orleans at the Rose Garden.
Chris Paul registered 16 points, six assists and six rebounds as the Hornets while Peja Stojakovic posted team-high 21 points in defeat.
New Orleans, which is 4-3 at home this year, has dominated the Suns recently, winning five straight versus Phoenix. The Suns, however, have been very good as the visitor early this season, compiling a 7-2 mark away from home.
