On January 5, Beijing time, the Suns defeated the Pelicans 123-110, giving their opponents three consecutive defeats. In two meetings this season, the Suns have won the game. Booker contributed 33 points and nine rebounds, and Paul had 11 points and 15 assists. Paul surpassed Richmond (20,497 points) in career totals and rose to 43rd all-time. In the first half, the Suns led the Pelicans by 10 points, and the Pelicans narrowed the point difference to two points in the final quarter, but the Suns withstood the pressure and opened the point difference again, winning on the road. The Pelicans' Valanciunas had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and Graham had 28 points.
Statistics
Suns: Booker 33 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, Paul 11 points, 5 rebounds and 15 assists, Bridges 23 points, Johnson 18 points and 6 rebounds, Bimbow 16 points, Smith 12 points
Pelicans: Varan 25 points, 16 rebounds, Graham 28 points and 6 assists, Ingram 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, Hart 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists
Star of the Field: Booker
Against the Pelicans, Booker played steadily and comprehensively, contributing 33 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists!
Game tidbits
In the first half, Smith was hit in the face by Varan and returned to the dressing room for treatment. In the second half, he returned to the game and it was not a big problem.
Paul hit a mid-range shot to get his 9th point. Career total surpassed Richmond to 43rd all-time!
Ingram complained about the referee and got the technician!
Highlight moments
Varan two-handed dunks!
Paul sent a long pass and Booker flew to the basket 2+1!
Ingram breaks through the dunk!
Paul hit the ground assist, Johnson dunked with both hands!
In the last quarter, Graham hit three consecutive points!
Paul hit the ground and Beathynon dunked 2+1!
Game review
In the first quarter, Smith scored five consecutive points, Graham hit a three-pointer, Booker scored 2+1, Varan dunked, Bridges and Paul hit three consecutive points, Johnson quickly attacked the dunk, and the Suns stopped the Pelicans 16-5. Varan made up the basket, Smith hooked a shot, Varan scored from the middle, Booker hit consecutive shots, and Ingram dunked to score. Smith hit a three-pointer, Hayes scored five straight points, Binbo won under the basket, Paul threw a score, and Booker hit a mid-range shot. Walker hit a three-pointer and ended the first quarter, the Suns led the Pelicans 42-31, Booker had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and Smith also scored 10 points. 42 points set a record pelicans conceded points in a single quarter this season.
In the second quarter, Bridges scored on a layup, Temple hit a three-pointer, Varan scored on a layup, and the Pelicans went on a 9-0 run to close the gap to four points. Paul hit a mid-range shot, Bridges hit a three-pointer, Johnson hit two consecutive three-pointers, Bridges scored on a layup and the Suns responded with a 14-2 run. Varan scored three points, Hart scored with a dunk, Paul hit a hit, Hart hit a three-pointer, Graham scored from the middle and Booker scored four straight points. At halftime, the Suns led the Pelicans 64-54. In the first half, the Suns' Booker had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists, Paul had 7 points and seven assists, the Pelicans' Varan had 13 points and eight rebounds, Hart had 11 points and six rebounds, and Ingram had just four points.
Easy side to fight again, Varan hooked the score, Bridges, Graham soared three points, Booker scored in the middle. Varan scored four straight points, Graham scored on a layup, Jones scored on a dunk and the Pelicans went on an 8-0 run to close the gap to five points. Paul scored from mid-range, Biyombo scored inside, Varan also scored on the inside, Bridges hit a three-pointer and Graham scored on a layup. Paul hit another shot, Biyombo scored with a dunk and Jones scored five straight points. Payton and Payne scored consecutive layups, Ingram hit four free throws, and Walker scored on a layup. At the end of the third quarter, the Suns led the Pelicans 95-84.
In the final quarter, Graham hit a three-pointer and Ingram scored four straight points. Bridges threw a shot to score, Booker hit a three-pointer and Ingram made a layup. Ingram complained about the referee and got the technician. Graham hit two consecutive three-pointers to narrow the gap to two points. Biyombo scored five points in a row, Booker hit a three-pointer, Varan hooked a score, Booker scored from mid-range, Biyombo dunked 2+1, Bridges hit a three-pointer to give the Suns a 14-point lead. Graham and Johnson soared three points against each other, Booker shot again, and the victory and defeat lost suspense. In the end, the Suns beat the Pelicans away.
Player ratings
Sun: Paul: 9.8 Booker: 9.9 Bridges: 9.9 Johnson: 9.9 Smith: 9.8 Thanymbeau: 9.9
Pelicans: Graham: 9.8 Hart: 9.5 Ingram: 3.5 Jones: 8.9 Valanciunas: 9.9 Jones: 8.9