• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Stojakovic tries to help spoil Pacers' home opener

Nov 3, 2006 - 2:22 PM New Orleans (1-0) at Indiana (1-0) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) - Peja Stojakovic makes his return to the Hoosier State as the New Orleans Hornets square off against the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

In 40 games last season for Indiana, Stojakovic averaged 19.5 points while netting 40.4 percent of his shots from the arc. The 6-10 sharpshooter was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the Pacers midway through the 2005-06 season for Ron Artest.

Instead of re-signing with Indiana during the offseason, Stojakovic accepted a deal to play alongside speedy point guard Chris Paul and the Hornets.

Stojakovic, who scored 11 points, made a layup and a jumper down the stretch, keeping the Boston Celtics at bay as the Hornets posted a 91-87 victory Wednesday. Paul collected 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds and David West added 18 and eight boards for the Hornets, who shot just 1-of-11 from the arc.

The Pacers also started their season on a positive note with a 106-99 triumph over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. Jermaine O'Neal and Sarunas Jasikevicius both netted 20 points and Stephen Jackson added 18 with four steals.

Indiana won both encounters last season. The Pacers have also taken eight of the last 12 meetings, including four of the previous six here.