Pelicans at Suns
The Anthony Davis saga continues to hang over the New Orleans Pelicans as they arrive in Phoenix for Friday's game against the Suns. Davis is on a minutes' restriction and playing approximately 20 per game and has been sitting on the bench during the fourth quarter of close games.
New Orleans lost 13 of its last 19 games, including Wednesday's 125-119 road setback to the Los Angeles Lakers when Davis (22 points in 21 minutes) was again a spectator with the game on the line. "I don't let anybody steal my joy," Davis told reporters afterward. "No matter what it is. When I step between those lines to play basketball, I'm happy." Phoenix had some rare enjoyment on Monday when it posted a 124-121 road win over the Miami Heat to halt a franchise-worst 17-game losing streak. "We played desperate, we played with a sense of urgency and we came not just to play - we came to win a game," Suns coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters afterward. "And I'm glad we did."
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Arizona
ABOUT THE PELICANS (27-36): Power forward Julius Randle is becoming more of a primary option with Davis playing diminished minutes and he poured in 35 points in the loss to the Lakers. "I think Julius has had a great year for us," New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters. "The way he played (Wednesday night) wasn't a surprise to anybody on our staff or our team because we have seen it before." Randle, who fell two points shy of matching his career high, topped 30 points three times in the past nine games while raising his average to 20.4.
ABOUT THE SUNS (12-50): Standout shooting guard Devin Booker is questionable for the contest after leaving Thursday's practice with a sprained big toe on his left foot. Booker registered 20 points and nine assists in the victory over Miami, a contest in which the Suns tallied 72 points in the second half. "It's been a long time coming," reserve guard Troy Daniels told reporters. "We've just been working every day trying to get better, pushing each other and calling each other out. We were able to come out and get a win. It's a great feeling."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans won the past seven meetings, including a 119-99 home victory on Nov. 10.
2. Phoenix C Deandre Ayton posted 14 points and 10 rebounds against the Heat for his 32nd double-double of the season.
3. New Orleans G Kenrich Williams is just 9-of-32 shooting over the past four games.