The Phoenix Suns just need one more win to make it through to the second round of the playoffs. In the 112:97 win in game 5 for a 3-2 series lead, Chris Paul and Co. put up a fight against the brave Pelicans. Mikal Bridges shines as a two-way power.
Phoenix Suns (1) – New Orleans Pelicans (8) 112:97 (BOXSCORE), Serie: 3-2
In the meantime, CP3 had to struggle again with the annoying defense of the long Pels defenders, but the Point God was there at the start of the game and also in the fourth quarter. Paul put up 22 points (8/18 FG) and 11 assists with just 1 turnover. Compared to Game 4, he was also able to look forward to strong support from his teammates.
Above all, Bridges delivered an excellent game, both offensively and defensively. He welded all of his 4 three-point attempts through the trap for 31 points (12/17 FG, playoff career best) and also set a career high with 4 blocks for regular season and playoffs.
“We just put him on everyone defensively. We can’t clone him, but I wish we could,” enthused Suns coach Monty Williams of his defensive ace, the loud ESPN Stats & Info Opponent CJ McCollum held off the field at 1/9 and Brandon Ingram at 1/5, but also had to concede 47 minutes. In fact, he’s only the seventh player in NBA history to have 30+ points, 4 threes, and 4 blocks in a playoff game. The others are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter.
Deandre Ayton (19 and 9 rebounds), Cameron Payne (12) and Cam Johnson (8, 9 rebounds and 5 assists) also performed well. In the Pelicans, Ingram was the most prolific scorer (22, 7/19 FG), but like McCollum (21, 7/22 FG), he had some issues with efficiency. Jonas Valanciunas contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds, giving the guests another advantage on the boards (13:6 offensive rebounds and 15:6 second chance points). However, since New Orleans only had 40 percent of the throw rate of the home side of 50 percent and only hit 5/25 from a distance, that wasn’t enough in the end.
The Suns made a much better impression from the start compared to Game 4. Paul immediately found his rhythm with three goals in a row, and Ayton was also aggressive at both ends of the court. Defense forced 6 Pelicans turnovers, held back well on rebounding – in part with a twin towers lineup featuring Ayton and McGee – and then, with a minute left in the first quarter, Payne hit the first three for a 9-0- barrel sunk, Phoenix was a madhouse. 32:20 after the first quarter.
Suns take control – Pelicans remain venomous
Trotz part chain dog-like defense by Jose Alvarado CP3 continued to build up his points account, but McCollum and Ingram put up a good fight. Because the three at Phoenix didn’t happen for a long time (1/10 start from downtown), New Orleans stayed within striking distance. But then Johnson, Bridges and Landry Shamet netted three threes and Ayton raised to +17 in the zone. The Suns went into the half-time break at 59:46.
Almost traditionally in this series, the third quarter belongs to the Pelicans, as was the case in Game 5. First, however, Jae Crowder (9) and Bridges gave the guests more triples, which increased the lead again to 18 points. But NOLA was now dangerous again in rebounding and in the zone, Valanciunas scored 10 points in this section alone. With CP3 on the bench, the Pelicans crawled back to a single-digit deficit. An important goal from a distance by Payne brought the Suns back to 89:78 shortly before the end of the quarter.
Bridges just kept up the good work, blocking a jumper from McCollum and minutes later followed up with his next triple. Paul got some distance against Herb Jones after a long time and sank a midranger, but the Pelicans continued to annoy the favorite. For example, in the person of Alvarado by three in the middle of the round (92:99) or by he the next 8 second violation against Paul forced.
NBA Playoffs: Suns secure match point against Pelicans
However, Ingram missed several free throws, which Paul immediately punished – of course with a midrange jumper after a shot fake against Alvarado. Then Bridges got a steal and Phoenix went back to +11. With two minutes left, Johnson pulled out a poster dunk and the Pelicans had no answer.
With that, Phoenix clinched Game 5 of this top-flight series, giving the Suns a 50th three-quarter lead this season – on the 50th attempt! The winners of Game 5 to 3-2 also take the series 82.2 percent of the time. The Pelicans fight for survival in New Orleans on Friday night.
NBA Playoffs – Suns vs. Pelicans: The Series at a Glance (3-2)
| Spiel | Datum | time | Heim | away | result |
| 1 | 18. April | 3 o’clock | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans | 110:99 |
| 2 | 20. April | 4 o’clock | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans | 114:125 |
| 3 | 23. April | 3.30 a.m | New Orleans Pelicans | Phoenix Suns | 111:114 |
| 4 | 25. April | 3.30 a.m | New Orleans Pelicans | Phoenix Suns | 118:103 |
| 5 | 27. April | 4 o’clock | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans | 112:97 |
| 6 | 29. April | 1:30 | New Orleans Pelicans | Phoenix Suns | – |
| 7* | 1st May | TBD | Phoenix Suns | New Orleans Pelicans | – |
*if necessary
