Suns Storm Back, Defeat Pelicans in Epic Comeback
PHOENIX -- It felt like a playoff atmosphere at the Footprint Center. If you didn't know any better watching the game, you would have believed it.
The Phoenix Suns overcame a second-half deficit to the New Orleans Pelicans to emerge victorious in 118-114 fashion. They've now strung together consecutive wins after losing their previous five games.
After losing both games back in New Orleans, the Suns have now tied the season series at 2-2 after initially defeating them earlier in the season.
Phoenix was propelled by the talents of Devin Booker, who failed to reach 20 points in his last few games but exploded for 58, his fifth career 50-point outing. He also added five assists and five rebounds.
No other Suns player finished with more than 18. Bismack Biyombo, in place of Deandre Ayton with an ankle injury, finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
New Orleans took a 63-46 lead into the break and it appeared the Suns didn't have any answers. The Pelicans finished with 57.7% shooting from the field and 46.7% from three.
However, the Suns were able to force 16 turnovers on the night.
The Suns were down by as much as 20 in the third quarter before Booker took over and led a comeback to draw the Pelicans lead to 89-84 heading into the final period of play.
Phoenix eventually knotted things up at 99-99 with 6:52 left in the game. Chris Paul sent a three-point shot flying to put the Suns ahead 106-105 with just under five to play.
From there, Phoenix was able to maintain their lead thanks to some key defensive stops and rebounds from Josh Okogie, who finished with a +/- of -3 but undoubtedly contributed when his team needed it the most.
The Suns return for the first night of a double-header on Monday when the Los Angeles Lakers come to town.
