PHOENIX SUNS

Suns melt down in 2nd half as Pelicans even series at 2-2

Apr 24, 2022, 9:20 PM | Updated: 9:22 pm

Few things went right for the Suns in a 118-103 Game 4 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday that has the 1-9 seed matchup in the first round heading back to Phoenix tied, 2-2.

The more-aggressive Pelicans were a plus-22 from the free-throw line.

Their best player, Brandon Ingram, went off for 30 points by the end of another winning third quarter for his team — New Orleans has outscored Phoenix in the period 137-93 over four games — and didn’t need another point as the Pelicans pulled away in the fourth.

Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas outdid Phoenix’s best player in the series, Deandre Ayton. While Ayton posted 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, Valanciunas went for 26 points, 15 rebounds and four assists with a +19 plus-minus.

Phoenix for the second game in a row shot below 27% from three-point range (7-of-27), not allowing them to take advantage when they held the Pelicans to 25% shooting (6-of-24) from deep.

Simply put, the Suns had no answers.

Suns point guard Chris Paul, hounded by pressing defenses all series, played right into the Pelicans’ hands.

He toed the line of earning eight-second violations regularly in the first half before backup Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado forced him into one in the second half to the cheers of the Smoothie King Center crowd. With that pressure, Phoenix’s offense thrived by attacking in pick-and-rolls but not running the offense that has made their entire roster so dangerous en route to 64 regular season wins.

Fellow defensive menace Herb Jones, who has been primarily on Paul since the Suns lost Devin Booker to a hamstring injury in Game 2, recorded three blocks and two steals while gunking up Phoenix’s offense.

For the Suns, offense was hard to come by outside of Ayton and backup center JaVale McGee, who added 14 points off the bench.

Starting wings Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder went 11-for-29 (37%), and backup guards Cam Payne and Landry Shamet combined for only 15 points on 15 shots.

Phoenix Suns

Keita Bates-Diop #31 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against the Washington Wizards during the firs...

Kellan Olson

The if of the 5th: Keita Bates-Diop is Phoenix Suns’ frontrunner

The Phoenix Suns have several candidates to be the fifth starter and forward Keita Bates-Diop is perhaps the top option.

19 hours ago

Yuta Watanabe #12 of Japan dribbles the ball during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Classification 17...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: Suns can maximize Yuta Watanabe in proper role

The Suns and Yuta Watanabe could be a perfect match with a role to maximize his shooting and knack for energy plays.

23 hours ago

Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: Suns’ change of pace in the post-Chris Paul era

Chris Paul's apprehensive pace is gone. That could help the Phoenix Suns push it, but there are reasons to wonder how much they'll miss him.

2 days ago

Mat Ishbia at a game...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: Mat Ishbia’s first full season as Suns owner

What will we see from the Phoenix Suns over a full season with Mat Ishbia as the owner of the team?

3 days ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Devin Booker #1 after scoring against the Denver Nu...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: How Suns’ new Big 3 needs to develop chemistry

The Phoenix Suns' Big 3 is the best in basketball but Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant will need to establish continuity.

4 days ago

Bradley Beal, Suns introduction...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: What Bradley Beal has to prove with Suns

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal arrives to the Valley with lots to prove despite how much he has accomplished in the NBA.

5 days ago

Suns melt down in 2nd half as Pelicans even series at 2-2