NEW ORLEANS — Dirk Nowitzki skipped out to the perimeter, joining Jason Kidd as they attempted to trap Chris Paul.

Paul promptly let them know they were in for long night, knifing into the lane on the dribble and dropping in a pretty floater.

As brilliant as Paul was in his playoff debut last weekend, his encore was better.

Paul had 32 points and a franchise playoff-record 17 assists, leading New Orleans to a 127-103 victory over the Dallas Mavericks last 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.

"Sitting there watching Chris really develop into the best point guard in this league, it's amazing to watch how he's really risen his game to another level," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "But that's what great players do. He's definitely one of the best in this league right now."

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.

Tyson Chandler had his second double-double of the series with 10 points and 11 rebounds, despite playing with foul trouble. Morris Peterson added 12 points and reserve guard Jannero Pargo had 10 for New Orleans, which was 10 of 18 on 3-pointers, with Stojakovic hitting 5 of 7.

"They were going to try some gimmick stuff" against Paul, West said. "It was key that we had the confidence with the ball out of his hands for us to make plays. Peja hit shots, Mo was able to hit some shots. It really disrupted what they were trying to do."

The series now moves to Dallas, where the Hornets have not won since January 1998. But that streak will end if the Mavericks don't figure out how to slow down Paul and a supporting cast that has been playing with enormous confidence since the Hornets stormed back from a 12-point hole to win the series opener.

"We'll take a look at some things, but we've got to have a better effort," Dallas coach Avery Johnson said. "We've got to go home and get some home cooking."

SPURS 102, SUNS 96

SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker scored 32 points to lead San Antonio over Phoenix in Game 2 last night after the Suns gave away another double-digit, first-half lead.

This time, the Spurs didn't need two overtimes and a few amazing shots to put away the Suns. The Spurs were down by as many as 14 in the first half before outscoring Phoenix 27-11 in the third quarter.

"I guess we had an offensive meltdown in the third quarter," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "It just wasn't a productive quarter. Offensively we lost our rhythm and that was pivotal."

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 and home-court advantage in tact.

MAGIC 104, RAPTORS 103

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 29 points and 20 rebounds, his second straight 20-20 game, and Orlando took a 2-0 lead over Toronto in their first-round playoff series.

Chris Bosh had 29 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto, but missed a 19-footer with 1.9 seconds left that could have won the game. Jason Kapono scored 20 points, Jose Calderon had 18 and Carlos Delfino added 16 for the Raptors, who host Game 3 tomorrow.

"It was tough to come back and try to play the same way I played the first game, said Howard, who had 25 points and 22 rebounds on Sunday.

"But one of the things (coach Stan Van Gundy) has put in my head, and (Magic assistant Patrick Ewing), is just trying to play as dominant as I could on both ends of the floor. Since the last game, the only thing on my mind, when I go to sleep, when I wake up, at the gym with the guys, is to dominate."

Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis each scored 18 for Orlando. Hedo Turkoglu made the go-ahead layup and finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

PLAYOFF GLANCE

FIRST ROUND

Best of seven; x-if necessary

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston vs. Atlanta

Boston leads series 1-0

Sunday: Boston 104, Atlanta 81

Today: at Boston, 2 p.m.

Saturday: at Atlanta, 2 p.m.

Monday: at Atlanta, 2 p.m

x-April 30: at Boston, TBA

x-May 2: at Atlanta, TBA

x-May 4: at Boston, TBA

Detroit vs. Philadelphia

Philadelphia leads series 1-0

Sunday: Philadelphia 90, Detroit 86

Today: at Detroit, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Sunday: at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

x-Next Tuesday: at Detroit, TBA

x-May 1: at Philadelphia, TBA

x-May 3: at Detroit, TBA

Orlando vs. Toronto

Orlando leads series 2-0

Sunday: Orlando 114, Toronto 100

Yesterday: Orlando 104, Toronto 103

Tomorrow: at Toronto, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: at Toronto, 9 a.m.

x-Monday: at Orlando, 1:30 p.m.

x-May 1: at Toronto, TBA

x-May 3: at Orlando, TBA

Cleveland vs. Washington

Cleveland leads series 2-0

Saturday: Cleveland 93, Washington 86

Yesterday: Cleveland 116, Washington 86

Tomorrow: at Washington, 2 p.m.

Sunday: at Washington, 7 a.m.

x-April 30: at Cleveland, TBA

x-May 2: at Washington, TBA

x-May 4: at Cleveland, TBA

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers vs. Denver

L.A. Lakers lead series 1-0

Sunday: L.A. Lakers 128, Denver 114

Today: at L.A. Lakers, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: at Denver, 11:30 a.m.

Monday: at Denver, 4:30 p.m.

x-April 30: at L.A. Lakers, TBA

x-May 2: at Denver, TBA

x-May 4: at L.A. Lakers, TBA

New Orleans vs. Dallas

New Orleans leads series 2-0

Saturday: New Orleans 104, Dallas 92

Yesterday: New Orleans 127, Dallas 103

Friday: at Dallas, 2 p.m.

Sunday: at Dallas, 3:30 p.m.

x-Next Tuesday: at New Orleans, TBA

x-May 1: at Dallas, TBA

x-May 3: at New Orleans, TBA

San Antonio vs. Phoenix

San Antonio leads series 2-0

Saturday: San Antonio 117, Phoenix 115, 2OT

Yesterday: San Antonio 102, Phoenix 96

Friday: at Phoenix, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday: at Phoenix, 9:30 a.m.

x-Next Tuesday: at San Antonio, TBA

x-May 1: at Phoenix, TBA

x-May 3: at San Antonio, TBA

Houston vs. Utah

Utah leads series 2-0

Saturday: Utah 93, Houston 82

Monday: Utah 90, Houston 84

Tomorrow: at Utah, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: at Utah, 4:30 p.m.

x-Next Tuesday: at Houston, TBA

x-May 2: at Utah, TBA

x-May 4: Utah at Houston, TBA