The New Orleans Pelicans are surprisingly giving the Phoenix Suns big headaches. They have tied the series 2-2 after beating the Suns, 118-103, in Game 4. Who gets the crucial 3-2 series lead? Check out our preview below of this Pelicans vs. Suns 2022 NBA Playoffs matchup.
Even the Pelicans might be getting surprised how hard they are making life for Phoenix in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. With Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum leading the attack and Jonas Valanciunas providing a big threat in the middle, the Pelicans came away with the win in Game 4. Ingram dropped 30 points while McCollum had 18 points. Valanciunas scored 26 points to go with 15 rebounds. Valanciunas had so-so performances in the earlier games of the series, but that showing in Game 4 gives his confidence a huge boost. Ingram is wreaking havoc from the perimeter. He is shooting over 55.9 percent in the series from the mid-range, while also connecting on 50 percent of his outside shots. As a team, New Orleans is shooting close to 40 percent from the 3-point region and that should worry the Suns, who are facing a team that is finding its rhythm offensively.
The Pelicans are 14-6 against the spread in their last 20 road games.
The Suns are struggling without Devin Booker. But there’s hope that he will be able to go out and play in Game 4 after missing two games because of a hamstring issue. There’s no assurance that Booker will be back, and if he can’t go, Chris Paul will have a bigger pressure riding on his shoulders. Paul had a horrid outing in Game 4, scoring just 4 points on 2/8 shooting. He dropped 11 dimes but also had 3 turnovers and was a minus-14 in 35 minutes. Nevertheless, the Suns shot 50.6 percent from the floor in Game 4. They are making 51.2 percent of their shots through four games. Phoenix is deep enough to handle another game without Booker. Deandre Ayton is averaging 29.5 points per game on 69.1 percent shooting. JaVale McGee is also having quite a series, with 11.5 points average in the first round.
The Suns are 15-7 against the spread in their last 22 playoff games as a favorite.
