With 31 points from Bridges and the Paul-Ayton duo, the Suns are one step away from the second round. Race 6 Friday night in New Orleans
Maybe the Suns thought they would close this streak first, but Devin Booker’s injury and, more importantly, the quality and tenacity of the opponents prevented that from happening. Phoenix is now one step away from Round 2, following a 112-97 Game 5 win over the Pelicans that leads the series 3-2. A splendid match of competitive intensity, dominated by the talent of Mikal Bridges, who in addition to the 31 points scored managed to influence all aspects of the team’s performance. He was the real pilot this time.
Bridges
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Back and forth at full speed, from one base line to another, without ever stopping. Defend against Ingram, McCollum and everyone who passed him. Fly, block, hijack. Bridges defied everything he could. Every move and every opponent’s choice. In attack to dunk, shoot three from the corner and move constantly to open up the field and put pressure on the defense. A superlative overall performance of 31 points, shooting with 70.6% from the field (12/17) and 4/4 from three, as well as 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 recovery and 4 blocks. Bridges was on the pitch for 47 of 48 minutes. “You can’t clone him, but you wish you could. He’s one of those rare basketball players who can play that way on defense but also manages to give that offensive production in terms of points. he gave it tonight,” coach Monty Williams told him during the press conference.
Intense
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The Suns played very physical basketball in defense and built their offense very well using Chris Paul’s vision of the game (22 points, 11 assists for 1 turnover, 6 rebounds and 3 steals) and the presence in the axis from the surface. Deandre Ayton (19 points and 9 rebounds), also often used as a passer. 50% of the shot produced by the team with 28 assisted baskets illustrates well the offensive balance of Phoenix, which has always tried to generate the best possible shot, both in transition (23 points scored by the opposing turnover) and in defense. The only flaw in the performance of the Suns is this +18 gained in the 3rd quarter but not fully capitalized. At that point, the game was put on ice for good and instead the Pelicans managed to slowly come back, never putting their heads forward. In the following rounds, if he clearly qualifies, Phoenix will not be able to afford it.
pelicans
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They fought against a team much stronger than them, even without Booker, and they stayed in the game until the end. Because beyond the technical errors and the partials suffered, the Pelicans have kept cold spirits and warm hearts. Jose Alvarado (12 points and 2 steals) is the man who in the 4th period pushed his teammates towards a possible comeback, driving Paul crazy and always finding the right game to ignite the competition. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, 43 points overall, had little to no impact in the 4th period and that’s where the game was decided. New Orleans suffered badly from the physical defense of Phoenix (40% from the field, 20% from the three and 15 turnovers) and only managed to survive, not find answers and counterattack. The team, however, is alive and in Game 6 will go all out to extend the streak.
The game
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It was Phoenix who controlled the pace and intensity of the game in the 1st half with Paul and Ayton setting the score offensively and Bridges setting the defensive tone for the team. The Suns closed the 1st quarter with a partial 11-2 (32-20) and touched the gap at the break (59-46). New Orleans, however, is on board. He competes, takes a hit especially in defense, and makes his opponents sweat with each basket. The Suns are also ahead at the end of the 3rd quarter (89-78) and have a 49-0 record this season as they take the lead in the last 12. Alvarado gets under the skin with his energy and New Orleans follows suit, still keeping their opponents gasping for air. Coach Green’s team reaches -7 while it remains 2′ to the siren (104-97). Phoenix then closes the whole thing with a super dunk from Cam Johnson in transition and a 2/2 from the line of Bridges, preceded by a defensive save on the triple attempted by Herb Jones. It’s Bridges himself, then, with two dunks in a row to put the exclamation mark on the 3-2 Suns. Race 6 Friday night in New Orleans.
Phénix: Bridges 31 (12/17, 4/4 on three, 3/3 tl), Paul 22, Ayton 19. Rebounds: Ayton 9. Assists: Paul 11.
New Orleans: Ingram 22 (7/19, 1/5 of three, 7/11 tl), McCollum 21, Valanciunas 17. Rebounds: Valanciunas 14. Assist: Ingram 5.
