"They were embarrassed by the way they performed at our place," Suns coach Alvin Gentry began. "You knew they were going to play better here. No doubt in my mind. Chris Paul or no Chris Paul, it doesn't matter. ... They made some big shots at the right time."

Emeka Okafor had 13 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, which dominated inside. New Orleans outrebounded Phoenix 56-38 and the Hornets' 25 offensive rebounds helped produce 38 second-chance points, compared to 13 for the Suns. New Orleans outscored the Suns in the paint, 36-30.

New Orleans was 52 percent from 3-point range (13 of 25) and the Suns were 11 of 28 (39 percent).

Stojakovic had his first double-double since Jan. 21, when he had 20 points and 10 rebounds against New Jersey for his only double-double last season.

Steve Nash had 13 points and 10 assists for Phoenix. Jason Richardson scored 16 points, Leandro Barbosa 11 and Grant Hill 10.

Phoenix opened the second half on a 16-5 run and led 65-57 after Hill's jumper.

Just as the game appeared to be getting away from the Hornets, they responded with a 7-0 run, capped by Brown's 3-pointer. Stojakovic's back-to-back 3s later in the period vaulted the Hornets back into the lead at 74-71.

"They scrapped and got their confidence going early and got the crowd into it," Frye said. "They made plays for each other. ... We weren't focused."

New Orleans raced to 15-2 lead in the first quarter, but the Suns eventually pulled back. Hill's dunk and 3s by Dudley and Richardson highlighted a 10-0 run in the second quarter that gave Phoenix its first lead at 41-39. New Orleans surged back into the lead on Stojakovic's third 3 late in the second quarter and his driving layup in the final seconds gave New Orleans a 52-49 lead at halftime.

NOTES: The Hornets are 2-2 under Bower and 2-1 without Paul. ... Three previous Suns teams have opened a season 11-2 (1980-81, 2004-05 and 2007-08). ... Phoenix has scored 100 or more points in each of its first 13 games. Four previous Suns teams have scored 100-plus points in each of their first 13 games, the last time being in 1988-89.