On April 18, Beijing time, the Phoenix Suns playoffs the first game against the Pelicans, although the Pelicans won two consecutive playoff games in a row, but in the face of the Suns, which are integrated in attack and defense and have a record of ranking first in the league, the Pelicans were taught a hard lesson in the first half.
In the first quarter, the Suns showed the Pelicans the strength of the playoffs, Ingram 7 of 7 in a single quarter, McCollum was 1 of 7 in a single quarter, and the Pelicans played crazy iron in the first quarter of 27. While the Suns made nine fewer shots than the Pelicans in a single quarter, they were incredibly efficient at 11-of-18, with McGee and Cameron Johnson setting the pitch on fire in consecutive aerial relays. The Suns easily took a 12-point lead in the first quarter, Booker sent a full range of 10 points, 3 boards and 4 assists in the quarter, and Paul did not shoot.
Entering the second quarter, the Suns defense took up another level, 7 minutes only let the Pelicans score 5 points, center Valanciunas basket to eat a block, the Suns led 14-5 to 21 points! Although the Pelicans picked up offensively in the final stages of the first half, going to the free throw line by making fouls in a row, the Suns still had a huge advantage of 19 points at 53-34 at the end of the half.
Throughout the first half, Ayton had 13 points and five boards, Paul had 7 points, 5 assists and 2 steals, and Booker was 12 points and 6 assists. The Pelicans' 3 main players were collectively lost, Ingram 4 of 11, McCollum 11 of 2, Valanciunas 12 of 3, and 9 of 34, which was enough to see how terrifying the Suns' defense was at halftime.