New Orleans Jan. 5 (US): Devin Booker scored 33 points, Chris Paul added 11 points and 15 assists, and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123-110.
Michael Bridges added 23 points for Phoenix and scored their seventh victory over the Pelicans in their last nine games. He and Cameron Johnson (18 points) scored five three-pointers, while veteran Bismak Piombo hit 6 to 6 and scored 16, the Associated Press reported.
Sans led by as much as 16 points in the first quarter, but only rose 101-99 after Devonte Graham posted his third pointer in the fourth quarter with a 6:21 left. But Booker, with 11 points in the final quarter, caused the Suns’ 22-11 defeat to clear the game.
Graham scored 28 points for New Orleans, which lost four out of five. Jonas Valanciunas finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds.
The Suns led by 13 points in the middle of the third quarter. The Pelicans used 8-0 to cut the difference to 74-69 before Phoenix continued firing into his surroundings to lead 95-84 after three. Sun made 13 of 24 three-pointers through three quarters.
Sun made six of their first seven shots, assisted by Booker’s four-basket lead, to take a 16-5 lead. Phoenix went 15 of 25 from the field en route to a 42-31 lead in the first quarter behind Booker by 13 points.
The 42 points were the most allowed in any quarter this season by a Pelican team. Suns was 5 of 10 from long range, center Jalen Smith doing both hits from long range. Smith briefly left the match early in the second quarter after taking an unintended elbow from Valancionas, making the Suns smaller.
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Suns: After missing four games due to COVID-19 protocols in the league, coach Monty Williams is back on the bench. The Suns went 2-2 under assistant Kevin Young. “It bothered me because you can’t imagine not being there,” Williams said. “It hit my ass for a few days, and it kind of surprised me. Normally, when I had a bad flu, I was always able to work, but for three or four days, man, I totally roasted.” … the Suns played a small squad without C Deandre Ayton, F Jae Crowder and C JaVale McGee, due to health and safety protocols. … The Suns’ 29-8 record is the team’s second-best starter tie in franchise history during its first 37 games of the season (31-6 in 2004-05).
Pelicans: Rookie F Herb Jones, who usually performs the team’s toughest defensive job, has become widely known for his blocking ability. “In this league, you get thrown into the fire when you’re that good,” said coach Willie Green. “He will continue to improve and learn. His progress from the beginning to now, it is a huge leap.”
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Suns: The Los Angeles Clippers hosted Thursday.
The Pelicans: The Golden State Warriors host Thursday.