Paul, Hornets Spoil Kidd’s Dallas Debut

NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 20 (AP) -- Chris Paul had 31 points, 11 assist and a career-high nine steals, spoiling Jason Kidd's debut with Dallas and lifting the New Orleans Hornets to a 104-93 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night.

Kidd, acquired Tuesday from New Jersey, looked out of sorts at times, committing six turnovers.

Meanwhile, Paul's dazzling performance on both ends of the floor had the enraptured crowd on its feet, raining down chants of "M-V-P!'' for their own All-Star point guard while a banner offering similar sentiments flapped from the upper deck.

Kidd, who had practiced only twice with his new team, finished with eight points and five assists.

While Paul dribbled surgically through Dallas' defense, Peja Stojakovic and Bobby Jackson shot with precision from the perimeter, combining for eight of the Hornets' 10 3-pointers as the Hornets won their fifth straight.

Stojakovic made three 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, while Jackson hit five and wound up with 17 points. David West also scored 18 for New Orleans, despite playing with foul trouble in the second half.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 31 points. Reserve Jason Terry scored 14 points and Erick Dampier added 11.