Peja Stojakovich shooting for playoffs with healthy Hornets

By Larry Fine

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.