Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview: Pels Need Consistency, CJ McCollum To Earn Win

The New Orleans Pelicans will get a test from former coach Monty Williams and the reigning Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns. How can Willie Green adjust in yet another game without Brandon Ingram?

Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview

When: March 15, 2022 @ 7 PM CT
Where: Smoothie King Center New Orleans, LA
How To Watch/Listen: Bally Sports NO, ESPN 100.3FM New Orleans

The New Orleans Pelicans (28-40, 10th in the Western Conference) will again take the court without Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson but the team is finally getting good news from the injury report. CJ McCollum has been upgraded to questionable as the Pelicans welcome former coach Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns (54-14, 1st) to town for a midweek game in the Smoothie King Center.

It is hard to compare these two teams regardless of McCollum’s status. New Orleans are missing their tops stars and the Suns will try to keep their seven-game cushion atop the Western Conference without Chris Paul. Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton have done well (6-4) leading Phoenix in Paul's absence.

New Orleans will need another dominant night from Jonas Valancuinas on offense to keep pace even if Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Herb Jones can limit Booker. Not many have this season, leading to Booker being a fringe MVP candidate.

Trey Murphy III is showing the confidence of a first-round pick who has found comfort in his role. He had a rough start to the season but just posted a career-high 32-point, 9-rebound night last week. His offense is back on track. Cam Payne and Mikal Bridges will test his attention span on defense. Payne and Bridges have posted big nights in helping the Suns keep pace since the NBA All-Star break.

The Suns are vulnerable without Paul though. The Pelicans can pull out a win if they keep hitting their shots. New Orleans and Phoenix are near even in dishing out assists, blocks, steals, made free-throws, and rebounds. Through those stats, New Orleans can claim the structure of an NBA Finalist it might just lack the scoring punch to pull out a win tonight.

The Suns are the NBA’s best at making shots (48.3%) while the Pelicans are one of the worst (45.4%, 22nd). Phoenix (36.2%, 8th) runs away from teams from the three-point line while the Pelicans (33%, 28th) struggle to keep up from beyond the arc.

New Orleans needs Devonte’ Graham to step up to help carry the scoring burden. He is 11/29 from deep in the last four games without Brandon Ingram but went 3/12 combined versus Orlando and Houston.

Consistent shooting from Graham and getting McCollum back would boost the chances of New Orleans stealing a home win from the Suns. Coach Willie Green said after practice McCollum had multiple negative COVID tests and “was progressing” in hopes of playing tonight. Still, New Orleans commits more fouls and turnovers per game.

It will be up to Willie Green to focus the team on smart basketball and hope everyone keeps hitting open shots. If not, Monty Williams and the Suns will steal another road win. A comfortable Suns win would not surprise the SI Sportsbook. They’ve only lost six all season while the Pelicans are 16-19 at home.

Expected Starting Lineups:

New Orleans Pelicans: Devonte’ Graham, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Jaxson Hayes, Jonas Valanciunas

Phoenix Suns: Cam Payne, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton