NEW ORLEANS – Though they got off to very different starts, both the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns come into Friday night’s matchup having won 9 of their last 15 games.
The Pels are coming off a record-breaking rout of the lowly Charlotte Hornets, while the Suns are riding a three-game winning streak that includes a pair of road victories.
These are not the same Suns that went to the NBA Finals three seasons ago, or even the ones that lost to the Pelicans in one of the most memorable games of last season.
Gone from the desert are Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, DeAndre Ayton, Monty Williams, and most of the core of the 2021 Western Conference Champions.
Today, this is firmly Devin Booker’s team, as the Suns decided to build around him with elite scorers like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal along with shooters Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon. The Suns have been good, but not great, with Beal appearing in only 16 games this season. However, their pedigree can’t be ignored.
On the other side of the court, the Pelicans have to take their performance against the Hornets with a grain of salt. Beating an eight-win team by 20 is nice, but it’s what the Pelicans are supposed to do. Though, seeing Brandon Ingram get back to his aggressive self on offense and watching the Pels splash 27 three pointers was very nice.
If the Pelicans want to strengthen their position in the West, they have to ignore most of what they did against Charlotte and get back to what they doing best: playing great defense, dominating inside, moving the basketball, and knocking down open shots.
The formula for Pelicans success is simple, but executing against a team like the Suns is not.
Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas should be able to control the paint and the glass against a Phoenix front court that tries hard, but allows 50 points per game inside. The Pelicans should also be able to take advantage of the Suns in transition.
No matter what, it’ll be a show. So let’s do a little dance.
Let’s make a little love.
Let’s get down tonight.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
Phoenix Suns New Orleans Pelicans
G – Devin Booker G – CJ McCollum
G – Bradley Beal G – Herb Jones
F – Grayson Allen F – Brandon Ingram
F – Kevin Durant F – Zion Williamson
C – Jusuf Nurkic C – Jonas Valanciunas
Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: Matt Ryan (right elbow surgery) is Out.
Phoenix Suns: Bol Bol (foot) and Damion Lee (meniscus
