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Paul, Nash prepare for another showdown

Oct 30, 2008 - 10:26 AM New Orleans (1-0) at Phoenix (1-0) 10:30 pm. EDT

PHOENIX (Ticker) -- Two of the league's premier point guards will go toe-to-toe on Thursday when Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns host Chris Paul's New Orleans Hornets.

If this game is anything like the last meeting, NBA fans are in for a treat.

Paul scored 42 points, with nine assists and a career-high eight steals in a 132-130 double-overtime win on February 6. Nash recorded 32 points and 12 assists. Peja Stojakovic won the game with a 22-footer at the buzzer.

Neither floor general was particularly sharp in their season opener, but both Paul and Nash were able to guide their teams to wins.

Paul hit just 3-of-10 from the field in the second half, but hit the go-ahead layup with 19.4 seconds left to lift the Hornets to a 108-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. He finished with 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Nash shot just 5-of-11 from the floor in a 103-98 victory over San Antonio on Wednesday. The two-time league MVP finished with 13 points and 13 assists.

Many of his assists went to Amare Stoudemire, who scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help give head coach Terry Porter his first win.

The Hornets won all three meetings last season.