Game 6 of the series
Chris Paul changed strategy and no longer kept his physical strength into the fourth quarter, and Ayton contributed another efficient game, the performance of the real top center, as for Bridges, 12 goals and 31 points became the leading scorer, all 12 goals from his teammates' assists. The Suns played perfect team basketball and won the Battle of King's Hill, but even so, they could not be careless, after all, the sixth game of the next series will be played at the home of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Trailing 2-3 in the series, the Pelicans had a back-to-back battle, and there was no reason why they shouldn't go all out. As the ninth team in the West, the Pelicans' playoff performance is amazing enough, but every team standing on the playoff stage has only the goal of winning, no matter who the opponent is.
Booker made a comeback
Booker has made a comeback in this game, and although there are still playing time limits, it is definitely rare good news for the Suns. At the beginning of the first quarter, Booker was not in a hurry to attack, only 2 shots, 2 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, Paul also had 2 shots, then got 4 points and 2 assists, Ayton continued to show a soft shooting feel, 10 points and 2 rebounds on 4-of-4 shooting, Crowder and Johnson each hit 1 three-pointer, the Suns scored 28 points in the first quarter, but the Pelicans also had 28 points.
Ingram had 5 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists, a good tandem with the team, McCollum had 7 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist, and Hayes also had 6 points. After returning from the second quarter, the Pelicans bench began to show vitality, Nance Jr. scored 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist, Murphy also hit 1 three-pointer, Ingram took 5 points and 1 assist, the team continued to open up the point difference, the Suns fell into a scoring drought, Booker failed to hit 2 three-point shots, and the team could only rely on Paul's mid-range jumper to barely bite the score.
After Ingram's layup, the Pelicans' lead came to 12 points. Bridges responded to a layup, McCollum also threw a shot, Bridges three separate flowers, McCollum stopped shooting without mercy, Payne also came to a three-pointer, McCollum pressed the whistle to hit the board, and the half ended, the Pelicans 58-48 surpassed the Suns by 10 points.
Pelicans have a distinct advantage
Booker had just returned and was still looking for form, with only 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists on 1-of-4 shooting, but Paul and Ayton played well. Paul had 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal on 4-of-4 shooting, Ayton also had 12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal on 5-of-5 shooting, when Paul and Ayton teamed up for 9-of-9 shooting, the Suns were 10 points behind the Pelicans. The reason is simple, the Suns only grabbed 14 rebounds in the first half, while the Pelicans got 26 rebounds, nearly doubling the number of rebounds, which gave them 12 more shots.
The Pelicans' rare 13-9 assists in the first half led the Suns four times, and it's a good example of how well they defended Paul. If the Suns want to reverse in the second half, then Booker must step up. McCollum had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, Ingram also had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists, and Nance Jr. on the bench had 10 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist. It has to be said that the Pelicans have shown their determination and strength to fight in this game, but if they want to win the game, they must also maintain such an attitude in the second half.