by By John Reid, Staff writer , Times-Picayune

Updated: November 25, 2008, 9:33 AM EST

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Although Davis has changed teams since last season, Paul expected to see much of the same late Monday night when the Hornets played the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Davis opted out of his contract with the Golden State Warriors in July to sign a five-year, $65 million contract with the Clippers.

Against Davis last season, Paul averaged 22.7 points and 12.6 assists and led New Orleans to two victories against the Warriors. Paul achieved a triple-double against the Warriors last April when he scored 16 points and had 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Paul achieved his fifth career triple-double Saturday against Oklahoma City, with 29 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds.

Davis averaged 22 points and 8.3 assists against the Hornets last season. Monday night's game was the first time Paul had played against the Clippers with Davis as their starting guard.

"I think he gets up for C.P. and because I'm coaching here," Hornets Coach Byron Scott said. "He tries little dirty things. But I told C.P. the first time we played them that he will talk to him, but don't believe that he is your friend."

In a game last season at Golden State, Davis set a hard screen and almost knocked Paul to the floor as he moved across the top of the key to help defend Stephen Jackson. Paul appeared unfazed and continued to guard Davis closely, and on the offensive end he continued to push the tempo.

Against bigger guards such as Davis, Paul tries to beat them off the dribble and rely on his court awareness and passing to spot open shooters. Going into Monday, Paul is only 10 games from tying the league's consecutive steals record of 105 set by Alvin Robertson from 1985-86.

Paul leads the league with a 3.08 steals average. He also leads the league in assists, averaging 11.8 per game.

So far, Davis has not experienced similar success as Paul, although he is the Clippers' second-leading scorer with a 16.9 average. Last week, Davis was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying there was a "disconnect" and that he had never seen so many plays in his entire career. At Golden State, Coach Don Nelson's offensive system did not have many set plays other than scoring at a rapid pace.

Before Davis was traded by the Hornets to Golden State in 2005, he had a problem with Scott's regimented style. Before Monday's game, Davis remained in the trainers' room and was unavailable for comment.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy said Davis continues to adjust to new teammates and a new system. The Clippers obtained Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins from the New York Knicks last Friday, but they did not play against the Hornets because all of the physical examination results have not been completed in the four-player trade.

"I still think he (Davis) is finding his way to what we're doing and is looking to get better," Dunleavy said.

Scott said he planned to have shooting guard Rasual Butler defend Davis, so Paul can stay out of early foul trouble.

Despite suffering a sprained right ankle Saturday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, backup point guard Devin Brown said the injury would not keep him from playing against the Clippers. Brown participated in Monday's shootaround, and Scott said he would play him.

Brown sprained his right ankle in the second quarter after stepping on the foot of teammate Hilton Armstrong in an attempt to save a loose ball from going out of bounds. Since moving ahead of Mike James as the primary backup point guard, Brown had averaged 12.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in four games.

"All I need was to feel 20 percent ready, and I was going to play," Brown said. "It felt good after I got treatment (Sunday). When I walked out of there to get on the plane, I kept stretching it."

Butler got his third consecutive start in place of injured starting shooting guard Morris Peterson (sore right knee). Scott said Peterson might be available to practice today, and forward Sean Marks could be activated for Thursday's game at Denver. Marks has missed all 12 games because of a strained calf and hamstring injury.

The Hornets will remain in Los Angeles after tonight's game to practice at USC today and Wednesday before departing for Denver.

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John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.

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