The league was challenged again and again
Chris Paul was injured, but the Phoenix Suns' winning streak continued, with Booker sending 12 assists in a single game to help the team through the storm. But interior players like Ayton and McGee, without Paul, are a bit tough, and the two doubles have gone from commonplace to unattainable. In this game, the Suns will play the New Orleans Pelicans at home, although it is a home game, but it is also a back-to-back game, which is undoubtedly a huge challenge for the Suns.
Although the Pelicans have a poor record, only ranking twelfth in the West, new signing CJ McCollum has shown a home-star demeanor after the arrival of new signings, constantly playing a brilliant performance. Unfortunately, Ingram was somewhat disoriented, so the team suffered two consecutive defeats. However, as long as Ingram is back in form, the Pelicans are not without the possibility of winning.
The Pelicans' double star is sharp
Ingram finally found his confidence, coming up in the first quarter on 4-of-8 shooting, with 10 points and 2 assists, mcCollum also had 8 points and 1 rebound, and it was obvious that they had a good communication. Led by the two, the Pelicans exploded for 31 points in a single quarter, while the Suns only scored 22 points, of which Booker had 11 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal. After returning from the second quarter, the Pelicans' feel dropped, and although McCollum had another 8 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, the team only scored 22 points, and the Suns seized the opportunity.
Although Booker only had 5 points and 1 assist in this quarter, the team blossomed more points, successfully scored 28 points, and at the end of the half, successfully narrowed the point difference to 3 points. In the second half, Ingram went on again, shooting 3 of 5, 7 of 7 from the free throw line, 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a single quarter, Varan also had 8 points and 2 rebounds, McCollum had 7 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, and the Pelicans blasted 42 points in a single quarter, which was simply unstoppable. Fortunately, the Suns also scored 31 points, of which Booker had 12 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, but the point difference still reached 14 points.
In the final quarter, when the game was decided, Ingram did not make a single shot, only 1 point and 2 assists, but McCollum took over the game, scoring 9 points and 3 rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting. Booker, who didn't have Paul, looked a little tired, and only had 2 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 2 blocks on 1-of-2 shooting. In the end, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Phoenix Suns 117-102, successfully ending their opponent's eight-game winning streak and ending their own 2-game losing streak.
Leave Lillard to become the boss
After leaving Damian Lillard, McCollum became the boss of the Pelicans of New Orleans. Although in this game, Ingram shot 9 of 17, with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists, he still lost to McCollum's 32 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, 18 shots and 11 shooting rates, and the most important thing is that McCollum's performance in the final quarter is obviously better than Ingram. In addition to the Twins, Varan's contribution was also indispensable, with a double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds, and Graham on the bench had 11 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists.
The Phoenix Suns, the league's number one, crashed down and missed nine consecutive wins, in this game, Booker got 30 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists, and Ayton shot 9 of 12, also had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks, which was very efficient. Gemini's personal performance is still impeccable, but the role players around them have not stepped forward. Crowder 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, Cameron Johnson 15 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, Bridges 8 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, McGee only had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.