Backup center Marcin Gortat scored 21 of his career-high 25 points in the second half as the Phoenix Suns held on for a controversial 104-102 victory over the visiting New Orleans Hornets on Sunday.

Chris Paul had 26 points and 12 assists for the Hornets (31-18), including six points in five seconds to make it 104-102 with 12 seconds left and set up a wild finish.

After the Suns turned it over on the ensuing inbound pass, Grant Hill blocked Marcus Thornton’s layup attempt with 3 seconds left and Paul’s one-handed 3-point try at the buzzer was off the mark.

Replays showed Hill’s block was goaltending.

Steve Nash had 15 assists and Hill scored 16 points for the Suns (22-24).

David West had 17 points and seven rebounds, and Trevor Ariza had 16 and seven for the Hornets (31-18), who have lost two straight since winning 10 in a row.

Hornets center Emeka Okafor left the game with 1:53 left in the first half with a muscle strain. Okafor doubled over in pain as he held his left hip area. He had 10 points and seven rebounds.

It was the second consecutive career-high game for Gortat, who scored 19 points in the Suns’ 88-71 victory over Boston on Friday.