On January 5, Beijing time, the Suns and the Pelicans played each other in the regular season. The Pelicans, who have swallowed two consecutive defeats in recent days, are second-to-last in the West. The Suns, on the other hand, rank second in the West. Facing the old owner, Chris Paul is bound to attack with all his might, so this game is full of highlights.
Pelicans vs Suns
In the first half, the Suns, led by Paul and Booker, once took a 16-point lead. After the first quarter, the Suns took an 11-point lead. Hart and Valanciunas led the Pelicans in an effort to chase points. The Pelicans, on a 12-2 offensive run in the second half of the second quarter, narrowed the gap to six points. Booker scored four straight points to help the Suns stabilize the situation. At halftime, the Suns took a 10-point lead 64-54.
Paul 7+7, the Suns 4-man double-double lead pelicans 10 points! Booker 17+5 run, Ingram 4 points!
In the first quarter, Jaylen Smith scored a three-pointer and scored a layup in the penalty area, and Graham responded with a long-range shot. Booker hit a 2+1 layup and Valanciunas dunked. Bridges and Paul each hit three-pointers, Cameron Johnson dunked, and the Suns went on an 8-0 run to take an 11-point lead. The Pelicans, request a timeout. Valanciunas scored four straight points in the penalty area and Jaylen Smith scored inside. Hart hit all 2 free throws and Booker scored with a jumper.
Suns Booker
Hart hit all two free throws, Booker scored four points in a row, and Graham dunked. Jaylen Smith hit a long-range shot and Graham hit all two free throws. Bridges hit a mid-range shot and Hayes scored five straight points in the penalty area as the Pelicans chased the points. Cameron Johnson scored from a distance and Jones responded with a layup. Byombo scored three points on consecutive free throws, Payne and Booker scored in succession, and the Suns extended the point difference to 16 points. Walker hit a long-range shot to stop the bleeding for the Pelicans. Booker hit all two free throws and Alvarado scored four. After the first quarter, the Suns led 42-31.
After the first quarter, the Suns led the Pelicans by 11 points
In the second quarter, Bridges pulled a layup, Hart hit 2 free throws, Temple scored from a distance, Graham scored 2 free throws, Valanciunas scored a basket, and the Grizzlies went on a 9-2 offensive run to narrow the point gap to four points. Paul hit a mid-range shot, Bridges hit a long-range shot, Payton scored a free throw and the Suns scored six straight points to stabilize the situation.
Ingram scored on a jumper, Cameron Johnson hit two consecutive long-range shots, and the Suns went on a 12-2 run that dropped to 14 points. Ingram missed 2 free throws, Bridges hit a 2+0 and the Suns continued to widen the gap. Valanciunas made 5 of 6 free throws and Josh Hart dunked. Paul hit a mid-range shot, Hart returned a three-pointer, Graham hit a mid-range shot, and the Pelicans went on a 12-2 run that brought the difference to six points. Booker threw in and hit another high jumper. After half-time, the Suns led 64-54.
Pelicans Josh Hart
Suns star Chris Paul played 16 minutes in the half, shooting 3-of-5, 1-of-2 from three-point range, 0 free throws, and had 7 points, 3 boards and 7 assists. Paul, who didn't have many shots in the first half, focused on defense and tandem balls. Assisted by Paul, the Suns scored four in double figures in the first half (Booker 17 points, Cameron Johnson 11 points, Jaylen Smith 10 points, Bridges 12 points). Paul, who gave the most assists in the half, is the core player of the Suns who is still leading the opponent by a large margin.
Paul, Booker, Bridges and others were on the court
Suns star Devon Booker went on a rampage in the first half. Booker, who played 17 minutes at halftime, shot 6-of-14, 0-of-1 from three-point range and 5-of-5 from the free throw line, had 17 points, 5 boards and 4 assists. Booker, with a 43 percent shooting percentage, scored the highest score of the half. Booker is also the Suns' player with the most rebounding statistics in the half. Booker's excellent performance helped the Suns still hold a big lead in the first half.
Pelicans star Ingram played 14 minutes in the half, shooting 2-of-7, 0-of-1 from three-point range and 0-of-2 from the free throw line, and had 4 points, 2 boards, 1 assist and 1 steal. Ingram, in the first half, was sluggish. Ingram, who only shoots 29 percent from the field, doesn't have a strong presence on the court.
Pelicans Ingram
Half-time stats for both teams
Suns: Chris Paul 7 points, 3 boards and 7 assists, Bridges 12 points, 2 boards and 1 steal, Cameron Johnson 11 points, 4 boards and 1 steal, Jaylen Smith 10 points, 3 boards and 1 assist, Booker 17 points, 5 boards and 4 assists, Andyombo 4 points and 2 boards.
Pelicans: Ingram 4 points, 2 boards, 1 assist and 1 steal, Varan 13 points, 8 boards and 1 assist, Hart 11 points, 6 boards and 3 assists, Jones 2 points, 4 boards and 2 assists, Graham 9 points and 2 assists, Temple 3 points, Hayes 5 points, Walker 3 points, Alvarado 4 points.