2:19 p.m. ET
-
Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – God of the point was in it again.
Just five days after Chris Paul scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to wish the Phoenix Suns victory in Match 1, Paul again scored 19 points in the fourth quarter on Friday night to lead the Suns top-ranked to a 114-111 victory. over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The victory gave the Suns a 2-1 lead in the series after Pelicans stole a game in Phoenix.
According to a study by ESPN Stats & Information, Paul has already scored 19 points or more in the fourth quarter four times in his career.
“I’m just choosing my places. I finally managed to take a few shots, I was just trying to be aggressive and listen to DA,” said Paul, referring to teammate Deandre Ayton.
Ayton told Paul that he should stop passing the ball in the fourth quarter and that he should shoot more. Paul did just that, making 7 of 10 in the last frame, including 5 of 5 in his mid-range shots.
Ayton said he understood that Paul had performed the way he should have done in the first three quarters, but said he understood that the Pelicans had changed their protective coatings in the fourth. Then he talks to Paul about it.
“I’m starting to hear different terminology on the floor,” Ayton said, “and I’m telling C like, ‘They’re back to normal, you’re going to have to shoot the ball. I’ll get a clean shot, you just have to go out and shoot the ball. ‘ And he did. That’s how he felt last year when he took over the fourth quarter. “
Paul finished with 28 points and 14 assists after entering the fourth quarter with nine points and 12 assists.
It was Paul’s second straight game with 14 assists and zero turnovers. According to ESPN Stats & Information, his 28 assists are the most in any period of two games without a turnaround in the playoffs since the turnovers became official statistics in the 1977-1978 season. The previous peak was 20 on John Stockton in 2001.
For years, JaVale McGee watched Paul perform his magic against the teams he was on. This year he got a first-hand look.
“I’m impressed every time I see him,” McGee told Paul. “He does the same. Throughout the game he will make it easier for everyone else and then comes the fourth quarter, if we need him, he gets stronger and starts hitting those mussels and taking over. It’s just amazing the way he does it.”
Phoenix needed all of Paul’s big punches in the fourth quarter when the Pelicans made a series. Only the last quarter included four changes in the lead and five draws, but Paul’s jump with 5:26 to the end gave Phoenix the lead forever.
“I mean, he’s just one of those players who plays the right way,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “He understands when and how to create for himself and others. The leadership qualities that you guys don’t see in timeouts are probably just as impressive as what you do on the floor, and you know that what you do on the floor is as important to the team. “
Phoenix guard Devin Booker missed the game by stretching his right hamstring and the Suns started Cameron Johnson in his place. But after Johnson had problems with a foul after the first half, Williams went with Landry Shamet to start the second half.
The teams return to Smoothie King Center for match 4 on Sunday.
“It’s a huge win for us, but I told our boys we can’t be happy on the farm,” Williams said. “We will play with a team that will simply not give up.”
Add Comment