Best team of the regular season, the Phoenix Suns suffered in their series of the first round of the NBA play-offs, once morest the New Orleans Pelicans. Sunday, still deprived of Devin Booker (hamstring), they lost (118-103) in Louisiana, during game 4. The two franchises are thus once more tied, with two victories on each side (beaten in the start of the series, the Pelicans then took Game 2 away from Phoenix).
The two teams remained close in the first period (51-49 for Phoenix at the break). But, as soon as the locker room returned, New Orleans accelerated, passing a 10-2 to their opponent to take control of the meeting (59-53, 33rd), before increasing the pace (84-74, 36th). Then, in the last quarter, the Louisiana franchise escaped for good, following going 12-0 (89-85, 40th; 101-85, 42nd).
Paul discreet with the Suns
Brandon Ingram (30 points) and Jonas Valanciunas (26 points, 15 rebounds) were the strong men for the Pelicans, with CJ McCollum also in support (18 points, nine rebounds). Booker absent, Phoenix might not count on Chris Paul to shoot this time (four points once morest 28 in the previous match). The Suns point guard, however, was credited with 11 assists. It was Deandre Ayton who carried the franchise from Arizona, with 23 points. Phoenix was also ineffective at long distance shooting (7/27 including 0/5 in the first quarter).
The two teams will meet on Tuesday for game 5, on the floor of the Suns.
