SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Zion Williamson scored 35 points, Jose Alvarado added 20 off the bench, and the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns, 128-117, on Friday, December 9 (Saturday, December 10, Manila time).
CJ McCollum added 18 points, Larry Nance Jr. scored 17, Naji Marshall had 14 points, and Jonas Valanciunas contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Pelicans won their sixth straight and 11th in 13 games.
Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 14 rebounds, Chris Paul scored 24, Devin Booker and Torrey Craig scored 14 each, Damion Lee had 12, and Mikal Bridges 11 as the Suns lost for the fourth time in five games. Paul added 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
The teams meet again Sunday in New Orleans.
McCollum and Williamson evenly split the Pelicans’ first 10 points of the third quarter as the hosts took a 65-57 lead.
Paul answered with a three-pointer, but McCollum scored 6 points and assisted on a Williamson three-point play as New Orleans opened an 80-64 lead midway through the quarter.
The Suns made 4 three-pointers to get within 86-78, and they got within 8 twice more before Devonte’ Graham scored the final 5 points of the period to give the Pelicans a 95-82 lead.
Lee started the fourth quarter by making consecutive three-pointers and Paul added 3 three-pointers to pull Phoenix within 100-99.
Craig made consecutive three-pointers and Payne’s three-pointer gave the Suns a one-point lead with 4:28 to go.
McCollum answered with a three-pointer, Nance scored 7 and Williamson threw down a pair of dunks as New Orleans pulled away.
After missing his first 5 shots, Booker made a three-pointer and a dunk to give the Suns a 23-14 lead.
Alvarado came off the bench and immediately made a 3-pointer that started an 8-0 Pelicans run as they trimmed the lead to 27-26 at the end of the first quarter.
Williamson’s layup started the second-quarter scoring, giving the Pelicans the lead in a back-and-forth period.
The score was tied seven times and the lead changed hands seven times, the last being when Alvarado made 3 free throws to give New Orleans a 49-47 lead. Williamson a pair of baskets and the Pelicans held a 55-52 lead at halftime. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.