Suns try to burn Hornets in the desert

This is the second of three meetings between the squads this season. On November 22nd, Steve Nash notched a game-high 24 points and added seven assists as the Suns downed New Orleans/Oklahoma City, 92-83, at US Airways Center.

The Hornets have lost two in a row and four of their last five at Phoenix. The Suns have won four in a row in the series.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City is scheduled to host the Suns on April 6th at the Ford Center.

Phoenix plays the fourth of a five-game homestand. Leandro Barbosa had a career-high 32 points to lead the Suns to a 115-106 overtime win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday.

Nash scored 24 points and dished out 11 assists in the win over Charlotte for the Suns, who have won three in a row and eight of their last nine games overall. Raja Bell scored 18 points, and Shawn Marion ended with 16 points, 11 boards and five blocked.

The Suns are an impressive 24-6 at home this season. They will wrap up the homestand on Monday against Tracy McGrady and the Houston Rockets.

New Orleans/Oklahoma City has dropped three straight contests and plays the second of a three-game road trip. On Tuesday, Allen Iverson scored 25 points and Carmelo Anthony ended with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Hornets, 106-91, at the Pepsi Center.

Tyson Chandler had 15 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks for the slumping Hornets, who have dropped four of their last five games overall. Chris Paul added 13 points and 14 assists for the Hornets, while Rasula Butler contributed 11 points off the bench in defeat.

Chandler has collected 13 straight double-doubles and has registered double- digit rebounds in 20 straight games.

The Hornets are just 9-21 on the road this season. They will visit the Utah Jazz on Saturday at EnergySolutions Arena.