Beijing time on April 18, the Pelicans 99-110 defeat to the Suns lost the first round of G1, this Pelicans played two consecutive play-offs to establish a playoff seat, it is reasonable to say that they should have a super desire to win, but this game did not see this "desire", the third quarter of the Suns' defensive focus dropped significantly, they once shrank to 8 points, but the last quarter of the Sun slightly forced the Pelicans can not hold back, Ingram, CJ two leaders are quite crotch.
Paul was 12-of-16 with 30 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block, Ayton was 10-of-15 with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists, Booker had 25 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds on 8-of-19, all of which were good efficiency, while Ingram was 6-of-17, McCollum was 9-of-25, Varan was 7-of-21, and the Pelicans were badly defended. But losing also has bright spots, and Varan is that bright spot.
This game Valanciunas 31 minutes, 7 of 21, 1 of 3 points 0, 18 points, 25 rebounds and 3 assists, shooting 33.3%, as many as 13 frontcourt rebounds, pelicans 25 frontcourt rebounds he alone more than half, and the Suns only have 5 frontcourt rebounds, such a large frontcourt rebounding gap Pelicans also lost so badly, more proof of how terrible the Suns' attack and defense.
Varan set several records in this game: 1. His 13 frontcourt rebounds + 12 backcourt rebounds were the first player since 1975 to win 12+12 in the playoffs, setting a 47-year record.
2.25 rebounds also set a new career high; (previously 21)
3. 25 rebounds in a single game broke the playoff record of 19 rebounds held by Anthony Davis;
4. He became the first player against a Pelicans opponent to have anyone who could finish with 20 rebounds in a single game in the playoffs.
The US media talkin NBA wrote: "Varan is an underrated big man. He averaged 17.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.57 steals, 0.81 blocks this season, shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from three-point range.
Varan's stats have not declined since the Grizzlies traded to the Pelicans, he is still strong on the offensive end, and his salary is only $15 million, his contract is about to expire this summer, as a 30-year-old player at the peak of Varan should be able to get multiple offers in the offseason, whether he can keep the Pelicans is difficult to say.
Text/Yan Xiaobai's basketball dream