The Phoenix Suns handled one game without All-Star Chris Paul before adding a rare defeat into the loss column.
Recent addition, Aaron Holiday, popped up on the injury report with right ankle soreness and Cameron Payne remained out with a lingering right wrist sprain.
With three guards missing, the visiting New Orleans Pelicans took advantage as they won 117-102 Friday night led by newly acquired Pelicans guard CJ McCollum who scored a game-high 32 points.
As for Phoenix, guard Devin Booker once again took on “Point Book” as he tried to replicate Paul’s floor generalship. In the previous game at point guard, he scored 25 points and dished 12 assists. On Friday night he scored 30 points but dropped off with five assists.
Booker did well to distribute the ball but the Suns couldn’t make their shots with the team shooting 43% from the field and 30% from three.
The first half turnovers only compounded the Suns’ off-night shooting. Paul’s absence was again missed in that department as Phoenix had 12 in the first half.
Most of the time it was self-inflicted as passes went astray and the typically superb chemistry was just missing in action.
The Suns made their run in the second quarter as guard Landry Shamet drained both of his three-pointers. Phoenix relies on Shamet and his shooting ability with the lack of depth at guard, his shots were crucial. The Suns got back into the game but unfortunately, those were the only 3-pointers Shamet made in the game.
A scary moment in the Footprint came after Suns forward Torrey Craig had a hard fall after a chase-down block. He stayed down for a while which had his teammates concerned as they huddled around him. Craig walked off into the locker room on his own and quickly returned to the game after a short break.
At halftime, the Pelicans had a 53-50 lead as forward Brandon Ingram had a strong first half along with McCollum combining for 30 of New Orleans’ points.
Booker started hot out of halftime as he attacked the rim getting tough and contested layups. His aggression led to free throws which further helped the team keep up with the Pelicans’ relentless scoring.
However, free throws were the one category Phoenix was completely outscored in. New Orleans took 41 free throws compared to Phoenix’s 24.
In the third quarter alone, New Orleans took 19 free throws and only missed one of them.
Booker’s 12 third-quarter points weren’t enough as the Pelicans took a 95-81 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Going back and forth trading buckets, Phoenix was able to get contributions from everyone on the court. Four of the five starters finished in double-digit scoring again showing off the well-balanced offense. They kept up with McCollum’s hot scoring but never threatened the lead New Orleans maintained throughout the night.
Back-to-back shots from downtown killed off any Suns comeback as head coach Monty Williams emptied the bench at 2:39 left in the game.
The Suns shouldn’t worry as this game was the second half of a back-to-back where its shots miraculously kept rimming in and out. The team’s lack of depth was on display as the Suns’ bench scored 17 points compared to 36 per game this season.
With a six-game cushion at the top of the Western Conference standings, Phoenix has a quick turnaround with a game on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. If the Suns can get good production from the second unit and get players back healthy they should lock up the first seed and the best record in the NBA sooner rather than later.
Contact the reporter at noahv822@gmail.com.
