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Monday’s marquee matchup in the NBA happened in Louisiana, where the Phoenix Suns were in town to take on the New Orleans Pelicans. With crucial playoff implications at stake, an all-out war was expected from both teams. Phoenix, which won the first meeting, looked to stay unbeaten versus their hosts and also win the season series.
Behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the visitors roared to a fiery start to open the game. “Book,” in particular, torched the Pels with either his playmaking or scoring. KD was happy to play second fiddle with timely shots. Phoenix raced to a 46-28 advantage after just 12 minutes.
After a frustratingly passive first quarter, Zion Williamson showed more aggressiveness in the next period. He and Trey Murphy III tried to respond for the Pelicans, but what they had wasn't enough. New Orleans' defense has also been shredded in different ways by Booker and his teammates.
Devin Booker ended the first half with 37 points while Kevin Durant contributed 16 to spearhead the Suns' attack. Phoenix led 74-54 as the teams exited for the halftime break.
The Devin Booker show continued in the third quarter for the Phoenix Suns. He added 11 to his total for 48 points with still a full quarter left to play. The Suns, advantage, though, had been cut.
The New Orleans Pelicans' defense finally showed some teeth. A 19-8 kick to end the third frame cut the deficit to 103-90 heading into the final canto. Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III and Dyson Daniels were instrumental in the hosts' fightback.
The final 12 minutes of the Suns-Pelicans showdown turned into a defensive struggle. New Orleans launched a handful of mini-runs but Phoenix stubbornly dug in to keep the advantage. Booker finally cooled off but the visitors had built just enough cushion to hold off Williamson and the Pelicans.
The lead the Phoenix Suns built in the first quarter survived the New Orleans Pelicans' onslaught to win 124-111. Phoenix won the season series which could prove to be a big difference-maker for the two teams' playoff positioning.
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans game player stats and box scores
Phoenix Suns game player stats
New Orleans Pelicans game player stats
Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal 3-pointers tonight
Devin Booker's 37-point explosion was aided by an impressive 6-for-10 clip from behind the arc. KD and Beal combined to hit 4-for-8 from deep in the first half tonight.
"Book" eventually finished 8-for-16 in 3-pointers while Durant and Beal ended up 6-for-15.
