The Jazz put in the first call. He even took time to visit Utah.

But ultimately Morris Peterson decided to sign this past offseason with New Orleans, and on Friday, before the Jazz played host to the Hornets, the longtime Toronto Raptors shooting guard confirmed length of contract was the primary reason.

"It did come down to the number of years," said Peterson, who signed a four-year deal worth nearly $24 million with the Hornets. "New Orleans gave me a bit more security. (The Jazz) didn't want to go past three years."

Once Peterson knew he'd get the extra season from New Orleans, he said his decision was "pretty much instant."

Until then, though, he struggled.

"It was going back and forth," he said. "One day it would be Utah, one day it would be New Orleans

"It was a hard decision for me," Peterson added, "because you've got two of the best young point guards in Chris Paul and Deron (Williams), and then you've got Carlos Boozer and (David) West and Tyson Chandler."

Now that he's with the Hornets, and the owner of a 10.2 points-per-game scoring average heading into Friday's game, Peterson is pleased he made the call he did.

"I prayed on it, and talked to my family a little bit about it, and they just told me to do what I feel is best," he said. "And I think it's working out right now. We got off to a good start (opening 9-2), and we've got a pretty good team with a good bunch of guys.

"Whenever you make a decision, you shouldn't have any regrets," Peterson said. "I don't have any — but I do wish Utah all the success and hope they have a good season, except when we play them."

Peterson finished with one point on six shots, two steals and two turnovers Friday.

PAUL ON WILLIAMS: Paul, taken one spot behind Williams in the 2005 NBA Draft, thinks constant comparisons between the two are "kind of getting old."

But he does admit he enjoys playing against the Jazz point.

"I think D-Will always brings out the best in me, because we know each other, I know how he plays, he knows how I play," Paul said Friday. "But, most of all, at the end of the day, he understands that it's all about winning.

"If I score 30 and he scores two, and their team wins and we lose, we know that he won. That's what it's all about."

Paul had 15 points, six assists and six rebounds. Williams finished with 12 points, seven assists and the same four turnovers as Paul.

DOWN ON THE FARM: The Boston Celtics on Friday assigned guard Gabe Pruitt, a rookie from Southern Cal, to the Utah Flash, the D-League affiliate they share with the Jazz.