Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS ó First the brilliant playoff debut, then the encore.
Chris Paul had 32 points and a franchise playoff-record 17 assists, leading New Orleans to a 127-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night that gave the Hornets a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.
The old record was 15 assists, set by Muggsy Bogues in 1993.
David West scored 27 points and Peja Stojakovic 22 for New Orleans, which took a double-digit lead in the second quarter, led by as much as 25 in the third and never looked back.
The series now moves to Dallas, where the Hornets have not won since January 1998.
Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 27 points, but spent most of the night looking frustrated.
Spurs 102, Suns 96
SAN ANTONIO ó Tony Parker scored 32 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 102-96 victory over Phoenix in Game 2 on Tuesday night after the Suns gave away another double-digit, first-half lead.
The Spurs were down by as many as 14 in the first half before outscoring Phoenix 27-11 in the third quarter.
The Spurs still had to withstand a fourth-quarter surge that got the Suns within five points with 14 seconds to play, but the defending champions now head to Arizona for Friday’s Game 3 with a 2-0 lead.
Magic 104, Raptors 103
ORLANDO, Fla. ó Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second straight 20-20 game, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 104-103 on Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis each scored 18 for Orlando. Hedo Turkoglu made the go-ahead layup and finished with 12 points.
Toronto, which trailed most of the game, took a 101-100 lead with 1:04 left on three consecutive 3-pointers, one from Delfino and two by Calderon, plus a free throw by Delfino.