Pelicans at Suns
The New Orleans Pelicans look to knock off Phoenix for the third
straight time this season when they visit the Suns on Friday. Star power
forward Anthony Davis averaged 29 points, 18 rebounds and three blocked
shots and the Pelicans averaged 121 points while defeating Phoenix
twice in November.
A road victory in Phoenix was New Orleans' only win away from home until
it posted a 104-94 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Pelicans -
now 2-12 away from home - dominated the fourth quarter by a 31-15 margin
and won for only third time in their last 10 overall games. Phoenix has
lost three of its last four games and was routed 128-103 by the Golden
State Warriors on Wednesday. "We did it pretty decent for 18 minutes,"
coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters, "but you have to do it for all 48
minutes because they put them up quickly."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN New Orleans, FSN Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-18): There has been recent speculation that
the Suns are interested in trading for New Orleans' Ryan Anderson, and
they will be able to get a close-up look at the small forward on Friday.
Anderson scored 24 points off the bench against Utah and is averaging
18.5 points over the past six games. Phoenix is believed to be offering
disgruntled forward Markieff Morris, who didn't even get off the bench
in the blowout loss to Golden State and hasn't played in any of the last
five games.
ABOUT THE SUNS (11-16): Guard Eric Bledsoe
scored a season-worst six points against the Warriors for his first time
in single digits all season. Bledsoe was on a roll entering the
contest, topping 20 points in seven of the last eight games while
averaging 22.5 points during the stretch. Backcourt mate Brandon Knight
is 9-of-35 from 3-point range over the past five games, and that span
includes a contest in which he knocked down seven.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans have beaten the Suns three straight times and four of the last five.
2. Phoenix SF P.J. Tucker is 5-of-20 shooting over the past four games.
3. New Orleans PG Jrue Holiday is averaging 15.3 points over the past six contests.