National Basketball Association
New Orleans 85, Phoenix 84
When: 9:00 PM ET, Monday, December 26, 2011
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Officials:
#25 Tony Brothers, #28 Tommy Nunez Jr., #57 Greg Willard
Attendance:
17776
By SportsDirect Inc.
Eric Gordon scored 20 points and hit the game-winning shot in his franchise debut to lift the New Orleans Hornets to an 85-84 victory over the host Phoenix Suns in the season opener for both teams on Monday.
Gordon nailed a 20-footer from just inside the top of the key over Jared Dudley with 4.2 seconds left to give New Orleans a dramatic victory after the Hornets trailed for most of the second half.
Robin Lopez scored 21 points and Steve Nash had 14 points and 12 assists for Phoenix.
Gordon was the prime acquisition in the trade that sent star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers during training camp. He also forced a Phoenix turnover after his go-ahead basket.
New Orleans had a six-point halftime lead but Phoenix went on a 16-5 run early in the third quarter to take the lead. Nash scored the final five points to snap a 54-54 tie and give the Suns a five-point edge.
Phoenix led 84-81 after a hoop by Lopez with 1:34 to play. Gordon hit two free throws 13 seconds later before knocking down the winning shot.
Carl Landry scored 14 points and Trevor Ariza added 13 for New Orleans. Marcin Gortat had 13 points for Phoenix.
Gordon had 12 first-half points to help New Orleans to a 47-41 halftime lead.
Top Game Performances
| New Orleans |
|
Phoenix |
|
Eric Gordon 20 |
Scoring |
Robin Lopez 21 |
|
Eric Gordon 3 |
Assists |
Steve Nash 12 |
|
Emeka Okafor 9 |
Rebounds |
Markieff Morris 9 |
|
Greivis Vasquez 3 |
Free Throws Made |
Robin Lopez 5 |
|
Greivis Vasquez 3 |
Steals |
Channing Frye 2 |
|
Emeka Okafor 2 |
Blocks |
Markieff Morris 2 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Points |
FG% |
3PM-3PA |
FTM-FTA |
Assists |
Rebounds |
Blocks |
Steals |
Turnovers |
| New Orleans
|
85 |
44.3 |
2-16 |
13-21 |
10 |
47 |
5 |
9 |
13 |
| Phoenix
|
84 |
39.5 |
5-25 |
15-19 |
23 |
45 |
3 |
9 |
15 |
Upcoming Games
-
Phoenix will play their next game at home against Philadelphia. The Suns have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
-
New Orleans will play their next game at home against Boston. The Hornets have a W/L % of 1.000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
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