Suns 92, Hornets 83

PHOENIX (AP) _ Steve Nash scored 24 points and Boris Diaw and Raja Bell added 18 each as Phoenix beat New Orleans 92-to-83. <br/><br/>The Hornets trailed by 12 at the start of the fourth quarter Wednesday

Thursday, November 23rd 2006, 6:34 am

By: News On 6

PHOENIX (AP) _ Steve Nash scored 24 points and Boris Diaw and Raja Bell added 18 each as Phoenix beat New Orleans 92-to-83.

The Hornets trailed by 12 at the start of the fourth quarter Wednesday night, but pulled within 71-65 on Tyson Chandler's offensive rebound and dunk with 7:57 remaining.

Marcus Banks then hit a pair of free throws, Kurt Thomas added a driving layup and Nash sank a running hook shot as the shot clock expired to give the Suns a 77-65 lead with 6:49 to go.

Peja Stojakovic and Desmond Mason scored 21 each for the Hornets, while Chris Paul added 18 points.

The loss drops the Hornets to 8-and-3 on the season.