Phoenix Suns Survive New Orleans, Beat Pelicans in OT, 139-132

For one brief moment, it seemed that the Phoenix Suns are going to lose what was already a won game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The guests from Arizona had an 18-point lead near the end of the third period but managed to waste that in the finish of the regulations. Eventually, the Suns were better after overtime, 139-132, snatching their 10th win of the year.

The Pelicans had a chance to stun the guests, but Brandon Ingram missed a game-winning shot as time expired. The final result in the regulations was tied at 125-all The lack was along with the guests, who would then find the strength in the additional five minutes to rose above the occasion and save the day.

“It’s a big win to come back here for the first time as a head coach and win in overtime,” coach Williams said. “I hate those situations because I was sweating like you know what, but it was pretty cool to come back here and win. And, now, I get to go outside and see some people who really care about me.”

Frank Kaminsky, the potential member of the Serbian national team, who has been playing well lately, scored six of Suns 14 points in the OT. He would bring the guests a 135-129 lead, before JJ Redick’s three, which cut the gap to three points. Then again, Kaminsky was ice cold from the free-throw line sinking two FT attempts. After that, Devin Booker closed the game with two points from the foul-stripe.

“I though we did everything we needed to get back into the game, that’s a tough one (loss),” said Alvin Gentry following the match.

Booker had 44 points and was instrumental, especially in the third period, once he delivered 21 points pushing the Suns towards the biggest lead of the game. The guests would outplay the Pelicans in that sequence 33-21, but the hosts would bounce back in the final quarter which they won 34-18. Suns came out strong after the break, making an 11-0 run which brought them to 90-73.

However, New Orleans closed the regulations with a 12-2 burst, and in those moments, the home team looked pretty ferocious. Their diversified attack was killing the Suns, who couldn’t find a way to stop it. In the end, four out of five starters had 20 or more points. The only one who couldn’t reach that limit was Jaxson Hayes with 17 buckets.

“We battled back, I though we were really, really good defensively in the fourth quarter,” Gentry added.

The best scorer among the home team was Redick with 26 points, hitting five threes in seven attempts. Jrue Holiday scored 23 and had 7 rebounds with 6 assists, while Ingram ended the night with 21 points.

Lonzo Ball was pretty good with 20 points, 11 assists and 6 boards, whooting 4 for 5 from downtown.

For the guests, Booker had 44 points with 9 assists and 8 boards. Kaminsky ended the night with 20 and 6 rebounds, while Cameron Johnson scored 18 off the bench. Kelly Oubre Jr. had a double-double with 14 points and 15 boards.

Ricky Rubio had a good game, and was especially important in OT when he had a couple of plays with a huge impact on the game. He scored 13 points, but assisted to his teammates 15 times and grabbed 6 boards.

The Suns (10-11) are now heading for Texas, to face Houston Rockets. As for the Pelicans (6-16), they have a second of back-to-back nights in Dallas vs. Mavs.