The New Orleans Pelicans showed a glimpse of blossoming into a playoff contender in their first win, and they'll try to keep the momentum going when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. The Pelicans snapped their two-game skid with a 105-84 home win over Charlotte on Saturday and are after their first consecutive victories since a three-game streak from March 20-25 of last season. New Orleans won the last two meetings last season after a four-game losing streak against Phoenix.
The Suns began the season with a pair of home wins but started their three-game road trip with a 103-96 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday. "Anytime you go on the road, you want to have a chance at the end," first-year Phoenix coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "That's the ultimate goal, especially against a team like (Oklahoma City). We were right there." Road wins were tough to come by for the Suns a year ago, as they went 8-33 away from home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix), FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE SUNS (2-1): Phoenix might have a budding star on its hands in fourth-year guard Eric Bledsoe, who is off to the best start of his career averaging 22 points, 8.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds. Bledsoe is one of six players averaging double-digit scoring, but the Suns need more consistency from the supporting cast. Second-year center Miles Plumlee, for example, averages 10.3 points and 11 rebounds but was held scoreless against the Thunder.
ABOUT THE PELICANS (1-2): New Orleans is without forward Ryan Anderson, who will miss another one-to-three weeks with a fractured toe, leaving the Pelicans with a deficit of proven scorers. They do have an impressive inside-outside duo in second-year forward Anthony Davis (23.7 points, 12.3 rebounds) and point guard Jrue Holiday (18.3 points, six assists), but guard Eric Gordon (14.7 points) is the only other player averaging double figures. The Pelicans are content to grind out wins, though, and have the ability to set the tone at the defensive end.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans rank second in the league with 9.3 blocks per game after a franchise-record 18 against the Bobcats.
2. Suns G Goran Dragic is listed as questionable after leaving Sunday's game with an ankle injury.
3. The Pelicans and Suns opened the season with the two least experienced rosters in the league. New Orleans' players entered the campaign with an average of 163.9 games played, followed by Phoenix at 171.6.