Peja Stojakovich shooting for playoffs with healthy Hornets

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Peja Stojakovich is back and the sharp-shooting Serb is helping the New Orleans Hornets make a strong run for the NBA playoffs.

The 6-foot-10 from Belgrade missed the last 69 games last season with a back injury, but after successful surgery and rehabilitation Stojakovich is once again terrorizing teams from beyond the three-point stripe.

"So far so good. It's holding up and getting better as the season progresses," Stojakovich told Reuters when asked about his back in the locker room before Monday's game against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

"My confidence is getting better."

Stojakovich is third in the NBA in total three-pointers with 156 off an impressive shooting percentage of .467. Overall, he is averaging 16.0 point a game with four rebounds and canning free throws at a rate of .921.

Stojakovich, 30, is one of a host of Hornets that missed time last year due to injury. Coach Byron Scott appreciates having his smooth-shooting forward back on the floor.

"He's made a big difference," Scott told reporters. "Pej has been playing extremely well.

"I think if you look at his numbers from January on, he's probably been our second leading scorer. He's played extremely well for us and he's hit big shots for us all season long.

"Pej being healthy and having his confidence back and not worrying about the injuries and things like that, he's been a big-time difference for us."

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Stojakovich and fellow forward David West have taken full advantage of playing with outstanding young point guard Chris Paul, who is equally adept at scoring and distributing.

"We are having a good season. Our main concern before the season was being injury free. You look back and we had all five starters last year having surgeries. This year we are healthy and playing good basketball," he said.

"Chris Paul is doing an amazing job. It's just overall a great team effort."

New Orleans has been one of the big surprises of the NBA season. The Hornets are 39-19), the third best record in the tough Western Conference and two games behind the Spurs and Lakers.

The Hornets are, however, only three games ahead of Golden State, who currently hold the eighth and last spot in the chase for playoff berths.

"It is satisfying," Stojakovich said about the Hornets' turnaround after going 39-43 last season. "But we have to play more consistently to reach a higher level."

(Editing by Ed Osmond)