New Orleans Pelicans

BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans to open the Western Conference first round. Phoenix went 3-1 against New Orleans during the regular ...

... New Orleans had a 55-35 advantage on the glass. ... Mikal Bridges was called for a technical foul in the fourth quarter. They led by 16 at one point in the first quarter before settling for a 28-16 advantage going into the second. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 25 points, but struggled with his shooting much of the night. I'm looking forward to the competition.” Suns big man Deandre Ayton was particularly dominant on the defensive end with four blocks, and had 21 points and nine rebounds. He finished 9 of 25 from the field. The Suns were 47-0 in the regular season when leading after three quarters. We got to watch all the games yesterday. Phoenix led 53-34 by halftime, forcing the Pelicans into just 11 of 49 shooting (22%) before the break. The ageless veteran will turn 37 later in these playoffs if the Suns advance far enough, but once again looked a decade younger. The top-seeded Suns needed Paul's big finish despite dominating most of the game.