Behind Chris Paul's 20 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds, the Hornets (2-0) beat the Suns 108-95 on Thursday night in Phoenix.

The Hornets swept the Suns in their four-game series last season, and they never trailed in this game despite playing without center Tyson Chandler, who suffered an ankle sprain against Golden State. Chandler scored 13 points and 16 rebounds against Golden State. Hilton Armstrong started in his place.

"The first two games of the season, it's a good sign we're hitting big shots when we need them and we're getting big stops when we need them," Hornets coach Byron Scott told the media afterward.

Peja Stojakovic scored 20 points before leaving the game with an ankle sprain early in the fourth quarter. Morris Peterson added 21 points and David West 18. James Posey scored 13, including three 3-pointers in the final quarter.

"That was a great team effort," said Paul. "The way those guys started knocking down shots, as a point guard, it made my job easy."

Steve Nash had 24 points and 9 assists for Phoenix, and Amare Stoudemine added 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Suns committed 24 turnovers, resulting in 21 points for the Hornets. Nash had seven turnovers.Rascal Butler made a three-pointer made it 97-87 with 3:08 remaining.

"That's what we've been all about the last couple of seasons, guys that don;t fold under the pressure," said Scott. "I think we have the ultimate confidence in ourselves when it comes down the stretch and the game's on the line like this."

"When you've got a guy like Tyson out, everybody else has to step up their game a little more defensively," said Peterson. "With us hitting shots, I think we're a dangerous team."

They'll find out when the Hornets open their home season against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Arena at 7 p.m.

Backup quarterback Andrew Hatch was on crutches this week but Les Miles said he hopes he'll be ready to play. The coach said true freshman Jordan Jefferson may play for the first time since the Sept. 27 Miss. State game.
 
"He's geting some snaps more than he has in the past and he's gotten better," said Miles.
 
Alabama will likely be 9=0 and still ranked No. 2 when it comes to Tiger Stadium on Nov. 8 after hosting Alabama State on Saturday.
 
Miles said there's nobody on the Tigers' schedule that they can't defeat. The Tide is the last ranked opponent of LSU's schedule. After Tulane Saturday and then Alabama, Troy (5-2), Ole Miss (4-4) and Arkansas (3-5) follow.
 
Prediction: LSU will cover the 25 1/2 points.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS (to be read to the sound of rolling drums and clashing cymbals):
 
NFL: Texans + 4 1/2 over Vikings, Jaguars - 7 1/2 over Bengals, Bucs -8 over Chiefs, Browns -1 1/2 over Ravens,  Bills - 5 1/2 over Jets, Rams +3 over Cardinals,  Bears -13 over Lions, Packers +5 1/2 over Titans,  Dolphins +3 over Broncos, Falcons -3 over Raiders (best bet), Giants -8 over Cowboys, Eagles -7 over Seahawks, Pats +5 1/2 over Colts, and Redskins -2 over Steelers
 
NCAA: Ole Miss -6 over Auburn, South Carolina -6 over Tennessee,  Florida -6 over Georgia, USC -44 over Washington, Texas -4 over Texas Tech, Miss/ State -3 over Kentucky, USM -8 1/2 over UAB, Alabama -23 over Arkansas State. UL-Lafayette -7 over Fla. Int., and Troy -10 over UL-Monroe.
 
SOME HITHER, OTHERS YON: The Saints have signed punter Glenn Pakulak and kicker Garrett Hartley after  holding tryouts and their Metairie training facility. The Saints also signed cornerback Tanard Davis to the practice squad. Davis replaces Quincy Butler, who was signed by the Cowboys to their active roster. Former Saints receiver Terrance Copper has signed with the Ravens to replace injured Demetrius Williams.