Pelicans at Suns
The Phoenix Suns seek their second victory in less than a week over the New Orleans Pelicans when the teams meet Sunday in Phoenix. Part of the Suns' solid start was a 104-98 victory at New Orleans on Tuesday in a game that saw Phoenix rally from an early 14-point hole on the road. That is something last season's Suns squad, which went 8-33 on the road, did not do often, and the club returned home in fine fashion Friday night with a 114-103 victory over Denver.
The loss to Phoenix is the only setback in the last four games for New Orleans, which is beginning to see some special things out of second-year star Anthony Davis. The 20-year-old had 32 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots in a 96-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Davis entered Saturday's action ranked 11th in the league in scoring, sixth in rebounding and second in blocked shots.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (3-3): Davis' inside presence has enabled New Orleans to establish itself as a standout defensive team so far. It has held three of its last four opponents to 85 points or fewer and ranks sixth in the NBA in defensive scoring (93.7). While playing fundamental ball on that side of the court, the Pelicans have also showcased a quality approach on the other end, leading the league entering Saturday with just 13.5 turnovers per contest.
ABOUT THE SUNS (4-2): Markieff Morris (28 points) and brother Marcus (11) combined to score 39 points off the bench in the win over Denver, which had a 48-37 advantage on the boards. The Morris brothers helped in that regard, too, with 18 rebounds for Phoenix, which is tied with New Orleans for the fourth-best rebounding differential (+3.2) in the league. Point guard Eric Bledsoe is averaging 20.3 points and 7.5 assists in an impressive start for his new team.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Suns G Goran Dragic is day-to-day with a sprained left ankle that has cost him the last three games.
2. Davis had 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in Tuesday's meeting between the teams.
3. The teams do not meet again until Feb. 28.