Devin Booker scored 23 points on a 9/18 pitch when the Suns beat the Pelicans by 132-114 at the Smoothie King Center.
The victory is a welcome sight for a Phoenix troupe that needed a moral boost after collapsing against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
In a reversal of the Tuesday collapse, the Suns had a 37-7 run to start the fourth and put the game out of reach before the Pelicans knew what hit them.
They made a complete demonstration of calculated and powerful offensive magic throughout the confrontation, especially the fourth.
His mantra was clear from the start: master the painting.
The Pels also had a clear strategy in mind: feed the Zion rock and let it eat.
It was Williamson who kicked off the attack, throwing a thunderous jam, before Ayton hit NO back with a calm 15-foot throw in Chris Paul’s assist.
Both teams received contributions from their less frequent pitchers in the first quarter as well, with Frank Kaminsky and Willy Hernangomez writing their names on the team’s scoreboard. Kaminsky knocked down two 3’s and Ayton scored six points when the Suns came in second, 34-33.
The second half continued with a back and forth slobberknocker full of scores. Brandon Ingram started printing his brand in the game and looked fluid and smooth when he found his points and connected with some jumpers. Mikal Bridges also started the period on a high, finding results with a two-handed rocker.
No team usurped a seven-point lead over the first half, and goals and defensive efficiency remained mostly balanced, but New Orleans took off in a 9-2 run to close the quarter and went into the break taking 66 – 59.
A glaring disparity: three-point effectiveness, and the Suns would use a blazing shot to catapult them into a wonderful display in the third quarter.
CP3 began its offensive attack in the third, but New Orleans responded with a flurry of internal bursts aimed at Williamson – which included a clever Lonzo Ball lob in the backdoor alley-oop.
But the Phoenix exhibited an aggressive resurgence and an emphatic effort to interrupt the overtaking lanes, leak counterattack sprinters and score early on various possessions.
Kaminsky continued his scoring wave, remaining perfect from the ground until the middle of the period, scoring 17 points on a 5-5 deep mark before failing.
Then Lonzo Ball caught fire. He worked his way to the free throw line, showing a much improved deep ball that bounced his team for an impressive run to finish the fourth. Pels led 89-86 after Devin Booker made a tray with three minutes left, but beat Suns 102-91 when the final bell rang.
Phoenix did not move the room.
Their defensive strength in the seventh classification was on full display, and they held NO by just 12 points as they returned to contention.
Ayton displayed a complete offensive arsenal and injured his opponents through post-ups, pick and roll and face-up drives. Chris Paul closed the door on Pels’ hopes with smart shot creation and several skillful passes. And Cam Johnson? Sheesh. The man was as consistent as ever, but his launch with just over seven minutes left to open his team’s floodgates broad Open.
It was an exhaustive display by a group that is ready to make the playoffs. And they are showing the full breadth of their shooting range, defensive skills and mental prowess that will allow them to do so.
My game player: Deandre Ayton – 16 PTS, 7/12 FG, 16 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK, +20 PM.
And Chris Paul MUST be an honorable mention for his 19 assists alone.