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Hornets seek 2-0 start, face Trail Blazers

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:36 PM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets aim for a second consecutive 2-0 start when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

New Orleans defeated the Sacramento Kings, 104-90, on Wednesday to begin its 2007-08 season. It was the first of 41 home games the Hornets will play at New Orleans Arena after two straight seasons of splitting contests between here and Oklahoma City.

Paul played at a high level, scoring 22 points and handing out 12 assists for the club, which looks to start 2-0 for the second straight season. The Hornets won four straight to open 2006-07, the first time the team has won that many to begin any year.

Peja Stojakovic scored 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 15 and 13 rebounds for New Orleans, which shot 51 percent from the field, the second-best opening-night shooting performance in team history.

The Hornets look for continued success against the Trail Blazers, who they've beaten three straight and five on six at home.

Portland began its season with a 106-97 loss to the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. LaMarcus Aldridge scored a game-high 27 points and Martell Webster scored 21 for the Blazers, who only received seven from reigning Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy.

Portland is trying to avoid an 0-2 start for just the second time in seven seasons. The Blazers were 0-2 in 2005-06 and haven't lost more than that to begin any year since starting 0-4 in '86-87.

Portland has won two of three vs. New Orleans.