Devin Booker propels Suns to victory over Pelicans amid physical challenge
The Phoenix Suns entered the Smoothie King Center with hopes of cementing a winning streak against the New Orleans Pelicans, having narrowly escaped with a victory the night before. With an altered starting lineup, the Suns aimed to capitalize on their momentum in the second game of this back-to-back matchup.
Suns’ Starting Lineup Adjustments
For this contest, Phoenix rolled out a lineup featuring:
Devin Booker
Collin Gillespie
Dillon Brooks
Royce O’Neale
Oso Ighodaro
This arrangement marks a deviation from the Suns’ recent rotations, with Ighodaro stepping in for the usual starter Grayson Allen, who remains sidelined due to injury. Jalen Green is also absent, while Ryan Dunn, initially questionable, was ruled out. Notably, Mark Williams made his season debut, providing depth in an already challenging back-to-back situation.
Game Overview and Expectations
Scheduled for 5:00 PM MST, the Suns were eager to build on their prior success against the Pelicans, where Devin Booker delivered a stellar performance, scoring 30 points, primarily in the second half. After the previous game, Suns coach Jordan Ott acknowledged the Pelicans’ physical play, stating, “They were physical. Defensively, they really turned it up in the 2nd half. Totally different ball game. They really got after us, but we were able to find a way. Devin was able to get to his spots.”
Key Performances and Stats
Booker’s scoring prowess was pivotal for Phoenix, but he wasn’t alone in making an impact. Mark Williams made a statement with 24 points and 13 rebounds, contributing significantly to the Suns’ 17th win of the season. The only starter who fell short of the 14-point mark was Royce O’Neale, highlighting the balanced offensive effort.
On the other side, the Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson’s 20 points off the bench, challenged the Suns throughout the game. Both Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy added 19 points each, bringing New Orleans close to an upset.
Three-Point Shooting and Rebounding Battle
Despite the competitive nature of the game, both teams struggled from beyond the arc, with each shooting a mere 20% from three-point range. The Suns managed to dominate the boards, out-rebounding the Pelicans 52-38, but New Orleans capitalized on their aggressiveness, earning 42 free throw attempts compared to Phoenix’s 25.
Looking Ahead
A victory for the Suns would grant them a commanding 3-0 lead in their season series against the Pelicans. The two teams are set to meet again on March 6 in Phoenix, where the Suns will look to further solidify their dominance. As the game unfolds, all eyes will be on Devin Booker to see if he can once again rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
