Game ID: 22500429
Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans
Friday, December 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NOP 23 25 32 28 108PHX 26 27 28 34 115
NOP vs PHX ScoutingNOP vs PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NOP availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Jordan missed 23 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 4 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 27 min since (90% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 20 min since (70% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (111% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 12 min since (63% of 20)
BACK Matković back 12/04 after 8, 10 min since (68% of 15)
NOP availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 24 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Peavy missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 15 min (97% of 15)
OUT Looney missed 6 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 12/14, returns tonight: 3 min (21% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 5 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 25 min since (86% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 26 min since (108% of 24)
BACK Missi back 12/06 after 2, 11 min since (57% of 20)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/22 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 25 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 7 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 6 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (80% of 30)
BACK Jones back 12/08 after 8, 22 min since (78% of 28)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (114% of 24)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/23 · back-to-backOUT McGowens missed 2 since 12/20, returns tonight: 31 min (146% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 26 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 8 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 7 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (81% of 30)
BACK Poole back 12/11 after 18, 27 min since (114% of 24)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 10 min since (66% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 3 min since (21% of 14)
NEW Queen 25 to 31 min over the last 5
NOP availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Jordan missed 27 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 9 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 8 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Williamson back 12/14 after 6, 24 min since (79% of 30)
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 31 min since (146% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 11 min since (75% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 12 min since (90% of 14)
NOP availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Jones missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 28 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 10 since 12/04, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 9 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (126% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 9 min since (61% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/20 after 2, 12 min since (90% of 14)
NOP availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 29 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Looney missed 11 since 12/04, returns tonight: 24 min (164% of 15)
OUT Hawkins missed 2 since 12/26, returns tonight: 12 min (87% of 14)
OUT Alexander missed 10 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Peavy back 12/20 after 2, 9 min since (60% of 15)
NOP availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 4 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 30 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 2 since 12/27, out tonight
OUT Alexander missed 11 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK McGowens back 12/23 after 2, 26 min since (122% of 21)
BACK Looney back 12/29 after 11, 24 min since (164% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 12 min since (87% of 14)
NOP availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Jones missed 5 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Murray missed 5 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Alvarado missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 20 min (94% of 22)
OUT McGowens missed 2 since 12/29, returns tonight: 24 min (116% of 21)
OUT Jordan missed 31 since 10/31, out tonight
OUT Matković missed 3 since 12/27, returns tonight: 20 min (136% of 15)
OUT Alexander missed 12 since 12/06, out tonight
BACK Looney back 12/29 after 11, 21 min since (143% of 15)
BACK Hawkins back 12/29 after 2, 13 min since (96% of 14)
PHX availability going into 12/14 · 3 days' restOUT Booker missed 3 since 12/05, returns tonight: 31 min (93% of 34)
OUT Green missed 15 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Allen back 11/29 after 7, 27 min since (94% of 28)
BACK Dunn back 12/01 after 5, 20 min since (106% of 19)
BACK Fleming back 11/29 after 2, 6 min since (51% of 12)
NEW Bouyea 13 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/18 · 3 days' restOUT Green missed 16 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 31 min since (93% of 34)
BACK Dunn back 12/01 after 5, 19 min since (102% of 19)
PHX availability going into 12/20 · 1 day's restOUT Green missed 17 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Fleming missed 2 since 12/14, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 32 min since (95% of 34)
PHX availability going into 12/23 · 2 days' restOUT Allen missed 2 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 18 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Fleming missed 3 since 12/14, returns tonight: 10 min (84% of 12)
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 33 min since (97% of 34)
PHX availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Allen missed 3 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 19 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 31 min since (93% of 34)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (84% of 12)
PHX availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Allen missed 4 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 20 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Booker back 12/14 after 3, 32 min since (96% of 34)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (87% of 12)
NEW Gillespie 28 to 34 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 5 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 21 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (101% of 12)
PHX availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 6 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 22 since 11/10, out tonight
OUT Dunn missed 2 since 12/27, returns tonight: 19 min (103% of 19)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 12 min since (101% of 12)
PHX availability going into 1/02 · 1 day's restOUT Allen missed 7 since 12/18, out tonight
OUT Green missed 23 since 11/10, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 12/31 after 2, 19 min since (103% of 19)
BACK Fleming back 12/23 after 3, 10 min since (87% of 12)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 119, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 28 free throws a game; Williamson at 21 and Murphy III at 18 a game. Without Jordan (27 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Allen (3 straight), Green (19 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where New Orleans has been minus-2 a night and Phoenix minus-9 and the line, where New Orleans takes 28 free throws a game to Phoenix's 21. Call it New Orleans 118, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
12/18 vs HOU 133-128 — NOP notes
NOP won 133-128 in 1 overtime. NOP shot 51% (49 of 97) to HOU's 47%, 11 of 27 from three. NOP turned it over 12 times to HOU's 18. The glass went 41-58 against them. Bey led with 29 (11 of 18, 3 of 5 from three); Murphy III added 27, Jones 18. The hinge was Q4, 36-20: NOP came in trailing by 16 and left it level. NOP trailed 45-67 at the half and won the second half 88-61. Bey was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/20 vs IND 128-109 — NOP notes
NOP won 128-109. NOP shot 53% (45 of 85) to IND's 43%, 9 of 27 from three. Williamson led with 29 (9 of 14, 11 of 13 at the line); Bey added 18, Murphy III 17. The hinge was Q1, 44-27: from level to 17 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Murphy III was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
12/22 vs DAL 119-113 — NOP notes
NOP won 119-113. NOP shot 45% (44 of 97) to DAL's 44%, 8 of 34 from three, and went to the line 27 times to DAL's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 11. Williamson led with 24 (10 of 14); Bey added 19, Queen 19. The hinge was Q4, 40-26: NOP came in trailing by 8 and left it ahead by 6. NOP trailed 57-63 at the half and won the second half 62-50. Queen was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
12/23 @ CLE 118-141 — NOP notes
NOP lost 118-141. NOP shot 46% (43 of 94) to CLE's 53%, 11 of 26 from three, and went to the line 25 times to CLE's 11 — 21 points from the stripe to their 9. Williamson led with 26 (9 of 15, 8 of 9 at the line); Queen added 21, Murphy III 14. Q2 was theirs, 38-37, the deficit cut from 10 to 9, but the other 3 periods went 104-80 against them. Alvarado's -18 in 25 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 vs PHX 108-115 — NOP notes
NOP lost 108-115. NOP shot 44% (39 of 88) to PHX's 48%, 5 of 25 from three, and went to the line 42 times to PHX's 25 — 25 points from the stripe to their 19. NOP turned it over 12 times to PHX's 17. The glass went 38-52 against them. Williamson led with 20 (5 of 10, 10 of 14 at the line); Murphy III added 19, Poole 19. Q3 was theirs, 32-28, the deficit cut from 5 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 87-76 against them. Bey's -22 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/27 vs PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Murray (2 straight), Jordan (28 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Allen (4 straight), Green (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Phoenix's 23. Call it Phoenix 117, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/29 vs NYK — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 30 from three, 32 free throws a game; Williamson at 24 and Murphy III at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (3 straight), Murray (3 straight), Jordan (29 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 121, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Brunson at 34 and Towns at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without McBride (7 straight), Shamet (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-8 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the arc, New York at 40 percent from three to New Orleans's 30. Call it New York 119, New Orleans 118, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/31 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Vučević at 16 and Buzelis at 15 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. New Orleans comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 32 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 25 and Murphy III at 18 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Jones (4 straight), Murray (4 straight), Jordan (30 straight). One day's rest.
So: Chicago wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Chicago has been plus-4 a night and New Orleans minus-6 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Chicago's 24. Call it Chicago 122, New Orleans 119, New Orleans keeping it close.
1/02 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 129, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 26 and Murphy III at 19 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Jones (5 straight), Murray (5 straight), Alvarado (2 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 20 free throws a game; Avdija at 24 and Sharpe at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Holiday (22 straight), Grant (7 straight), Henderson (34 straight). One day's rest.
So: New Orleans wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Portland has been plus-9 a night and New Orleans minus-5 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Portland's 20. Call it New Orleans 119, Portland 117, Portland keeping it close.
12/14 vs LAL 114-116 — PHX notes
PHX lost 114-116. PHX shot 49% (40 of 82) to LAL's 43%, 13 of 37 from three, and got to the line 25 times to LAL's 43. The glass went 37-54 against them. Booker led with 27 (7 of 17, 0 of 5 from three, 13 of 16 at the line); Williams added 20, Brooks 18. Q4 was theirs, 37-30, the deficit cut from 9 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 86-77 against them. O'Neale's -23 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/18 vs GSW 99-98 — PHX notes
PHX won 99-98. PHX shot 41% (36 of 88) to GSW's 39%, 10 of 35 from three. PHX turned it over 15 times to GSW's 20. Booker led with 25 (9 of 19, 2 of 6 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Brooks added 24, Gillespie 16. The hinge was Q3, 24-18: the deficit went from 7 to 1. PHX trailed 46-53 at the half and won the second half 53-45.
12/20 @ GSW 116-119 — PHX notes
PHX lost 116-119. PHX shot 48% (42 of 88) to GSW's 46%, 12 of 35 from three. PHX turned it over 14 times to GSW's 20. The glass went 34-49 against them. Booker led with 38 (13 of 27, 2 of 7 from three, 10 of 12 at the line); Brooks added 22, Gillespie 16. Q1 was theirs, 44-32, but the other 3 periods went 87-72 against them. They led by as many as 14. Williams's -15 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 vs LAL 132-108 — PHX notes
PHX won 132-108. PHX shot 59% (50 of 85) to LAL's 48%, 14 of 34 from three, and got to the line 20 times to LAL's 29. Brooks led with 25 (10 of 15, 3 of 6 from three); Booker added 21, Williams 18. The hinge was Q3, 45-29: a lead of 10 became 26, and the lead reached 32. Gillespie was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/26 @ NOP 115-108 — PHX notes
PHX won 115-108. PHX shot 48% (44 of 91) to NOP's 44%, 8 of 40 from three, and got to the line 25 times to NOP's 42. PHX turned it over 17 times to NOP's 12, and NOP turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 52-38 for them. Booker led with 30 (10 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 9 of 11 at the line); Williams added 24, Gillespie 16. The hinge was Q4, 34-28: a lead of 1 became 7. Booker was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
12/27 @ NOP — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New Orleans comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 121, shooting 48 percent and 32 from three, 31 free throws a game; Williamson at 22 and Murphy III at 18 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Jones (2 straight), Murray (2 straight), Jordan (28 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 31 from three, 23 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Allen (4 straight), Green (20 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to New Orleans's 121 and the line, where New Orleans takes 31 free throws a game to Phoenix's 23. Call it Phoenix 117, New Orleans 116, New Orleans keeping it close.
12/29 @ WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Washington comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 120, shooting 47 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; McCollum at 19 and George at 17 a game. Without Kispert (2 straight), Gill (2 straight), Cooper (12 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Allen (5 straight), Green (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 109 a night to Washington's 120 and the turnovers, Phoenix giving it away 15 times a game to Washington's 11. Call it Phoenix 119, Washington 115, Washington keeping it close.
12/31 @ CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 119, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 17 free throws a game; Mitchell at 23 and Garland at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 110, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Brooks at 21 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Allen (6 straight), Green (22 straight), Dunn (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-4 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Cleveland's 119. Call it Cleveland 118, Phoenix 116, Phoenix keeping it close.
1/02 vs SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 112, shooting 46 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Brooks at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Allen (7 straight), Green (23 straight). One day's rest. Sacramento comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 124, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; DeRozan at 20 and Westbrook at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without LaVine (8 straight), Sabonis (20 straight), Plowden (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-6 a night and Sacramento minus-3 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 112 a night to Sacramento's 124. Call it Phoenix 122, Sacramento 109, Phoenix by 13.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXCG C. Gillespie
DB D. Booker
DB D. Brooks
JB J. Bouyea
JG J. Goodwin
MW M. Williams
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RF R. Fleming
RO R. O'Neale
NOPBM B. McGowens
DQ D. Queen
JA J. Alvarado
JF J. Fears
JP J. Poole
KM K. Matković
SB S. Bey
TM T. Murphy III
YM Y. Missi
ZW Z. Williamson
PHX/NOP the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Booker scores 30 points and leads the Suns past the Pelicans, 115-108
NEW ORLEANS -- — Devin Booker scored 30 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 115-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night in the opener of a two-game series.
The Suns trailed 100-97 after Zion Williamson hit a free throw with 4:58 left, but the Suns closed out New Orleans by outscoring the Pelicans 18-8 the rest of the way. Booker started the surge with two free throws, and Mark Williams then made four consecutive free throws and a dunk off an alley-oop feed from Booker. Williams finished with 24 points, including 10 in the final period, and 13 rebounds.
Williamson led the Pelicans with 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III had 19 points apiece. But the Pelicans hurt themselves with an abysmal night from the foul line, going 25 of 42.
The teams play again Saturday in New Orleans.
Williamson's layup with 1:51 left cut the Suns’ lead to 107-106, but Phoenix iced the game with a 15-foot jumper by Collin Gillespie that started a five-point run in a 35-second span.
Despite shaky outside shooting – just 5 of 24 from long range – the Suns built a 53-48 halftime lead on the power of their rebounding. Phoenix outrebounded New Orleans 31-23 in the first half, including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive boards that led to a 17-6 edge in second-chance points.
Rasheer Fleming came off the bench in the second quarter with three layups in an 11-2 spurt to give the Suns a 44-37 lead. Poole kept the Pelicans close with 11 first-half points that included a pair of 25-footers and a four-point play.
The Pelicans missed seven free throws in the third quarter but still managed to close the deficit to 81-80 entering the final period.