The Battle of the West: Pelicans vs. Suns
Coming after a 9-point win on Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans looked to beat the Suns on back-to-back duels, and by that, clinching the number one spot in the Western Conference. Friday’s game ended with some tensions among the Phoenix Suns players, after that Zion Williamson 360 windmill dunk in the last second of the match, when it was already over, so given the little fight they had during that game, it was clear that we are going to have a battle in Sunday’s game. This new format, in which teams often play with one another in consecutive matches, can give you the feeling of playoff series. Something happens in the first match, then in the second they play at a more intense level like they have something to prove to each other, and that makes things more interesting to watch. So, given their placement in the rankings, we might have a new rivalry being born, a thing that could only excite us for the future. Two young, talented teams which will battle for the crown in the heavy West. All those are signs that the NBA is slowly entering in its new era.
Even though both teams had important players missing, as Devin Booker and Brandon Ingram were out for this game – Booker having a sore left hamstring and Ingram having a toe problem – that contest was still very entertaining to watch, with players such as CJ McCollum, Zion, DeAndre Ayton or Mikal Bridges raising to the occasion once again.
Chris Paul, though, had a bad night, scoring only 6 points on 30% FG%, and that might cost the Suns. Yes, he did send the game into overtime with that late fade-away jumper over a much taller defender, props to him for that, but he fouled out immediately in the overtime, after extending his leg in the defender unnaturally on a 3-point shot. It was initially called as a foul on the shot, but the Pelicans staff quickly challenged that and won. After that play, it was all Pelicans, as they went on a fast 9-point run.
Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum carried their team all night long, scoring a combined 64 points while taking over in the overtime to give the Pelicans the clutch win. Game by game, they are taking shape as a nice, scary duo that can make damage on multiple scoring threats. If Brandon Ingram can stay healthy, the sky is the limit for them.
With this win, the New Orleans Pelicans are first in the West, currently on a 7-game winning streak and they are not showing any stopping signs. With Brandon Ingram coming back, as head coach Willie Green said that he’s “extremely hopeful” that Ingram (toe) will be able to return for the Pelicans’ upcoming three-game road trip that begins Tuesday in Utah, they will be even tougher to beat.
