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Suns host Hornets in key Western Conference tilt

Mar 25, 2011 - 3:29 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of postseason hopefuls get together tonight in the desert, as the Phoenix Suns play host to the New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets are currently seventh in the Western Conference -- a half-game behind Portland and a full game ahead of Memphis -- and opened a three-game trip with last night's 121-117 overtime win against Utah. David West netted 29 points before exiting the game with an apparent knee injury and Chris Paul delivered 24 points and 12 assists for New Orleans, which won for the sixth time in nine tries.

Emeka Okafor tied the game in regulation on a desperation shot and tallied 12 points and six boards in a winning effort.

"[I saw] all there was time for was touch and go. I just looked at the rim, just to get an idea of where I'm at and let it go," Okafor said of the dramatic basket.

New Orleans will also visit the Los Angeles Lakers and is 17-20 away from the Big Easy this season. West, meanwhile, is questionable for tonight's game.

Phoenix will continue a three-game homestand Friday and kicked off the residency with Wednesday's 114-106 triumph over the Toronto Raptors.

Aaron Brooks came off the bench to score 25 points to help the Suns battle back from a 13-point deficit in the second half. Steve Nash had 16 points and Channing Frye added 14 for the Suns, who are three games behind the Grizzlies for the final postseason spot in the Western Conference.

"I thought it was our best win of the year," said Suns head coach Alvin Gentry. "That was a total team effort."

Marcin Gortat added 15 points and a team-high eight boards while Jared Dudley scored 13 points in a winning effort. Gortat has scored in double figures in a career-high 16-straight games.

Gentry's club will also visit Dallas and is 20-15 at US Airways Center. It has won 12 of the past 18 games as the host. In injury news for Phoenix, guard Grant Hill (flu) and forward Mickael Pietrus (knee/quadriceps) are both questionable for this evening's game.

The 2010-11 season series between New Orleans and Phoenix is tied at a game apiece, with each team prevailing as the host. The Hornets have lost three straight and six of nine games in the Valley of the Sun.