Game 60: New Orleans Pelicans (23-36) @ Phoenix Suns (49-10) l Friday l 7:00pm

[Calvin Klein]

Friday, February 25th @ 7:00pm
Footprint Center
Phoenix, AZ


PELICANS (23-36 | 10-19 Away)
SUNS (49-10 | 26-5 Home)


PELS STARTING LINEUP

G Devonte Graham
G CJ McCollum
G Herbert Jones
F Brandon Ingram
C Jonas Valanciunas

Reserves:
Clark/Temple/Snell/Hernangomez/Hayes/Alvarado


SUNS STARTING LINEUP


G Devin Booker
F Mikal Bridges
F Cam Johnson
F Jae Crowder
C Deandre Ayton

Reserves:
Shamet/Elf/Javale/Bizzy/Ish/Torrey/Holiday


OUT:
Chris Paul
Cam Payne
Aaron Holiday
Dario Saric
Frank Kamisnky


---------------------------------

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[Revived]

Is Payne ruled out for this one already?

[bwgood77]

Is Payne ruled out for this one already?

I'm sure he is if he was out last night unless he was kind of ready but didn't want him on a b2b, but in that case he'd probably have played the first game since we have another game Sunday afternoon.

My guess is they continue to be conservative with him and if Book can be primary and Holiday play like he did last night, no real rush.

[spanishninja]

Is Payne ruled out for this one already?

I'm sure he is if he was out last night unless he was kind of ready but didn't want him on a b2b, but in that case he'd probably have played the first game since we have another game Sunday afternoon.

My guess is they continue to be conservative with him and if Book can be primary and Holiday play like he did last night, no real rush.

or is it possible that they preferred to have Payne play this game rather than last night's because New Orleans is more talented than OKC?

[WeekapaugGroove]

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PG spot just decimated by injuries. Hopefully this is minor.

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[bwgood77]

Is Payne ruled out for this one already?

I'm sure he is if he was out last night unless he was kind of ready but didn't want him on a b2b, but in that case he'd probably have played the first game since we have another game Sunday afternoon.

My guess is they continue to be conservative with him and if Book can be primary and Holiday play like he did last night, no real rush.

or is it possible that they preferred to have Payne play this game rather than last night's because New Orleans is more talented than OKC?

Are they? I know they have a better record but OKC is scrappy, plays tough, and is a lot better when SGA plays. He's played about 10 games.

But with CJ McCollum, the Pelicans are better too, so they are probably tougher with two scoring threats now including Ingram.

I'd still be surprised if we are not conservative with Payne since he had a setback and with Holiday we look a lot better at PG.

Edit: Never mind...saw both Holiday and Payne are out in subsequent post.

[suns12345]

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PG spot just decimated by injuries. Hopefully this is minor.

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Damn, he was huge for us

Payton it is then.

[Calvin Klein]

No Booker minutes could be rough. Let's hope he stays out of foul trouble.

[spanishninja]

I'm sure he is if he was out last night unless he was kind of ready but didn't want him on a b2b, but in that case he'd probably have played the first game since we have another game Sunday afternoon.

My guess is they continue to be conservative with him and if Book can be primary and Holiday play like he did last night, no real rush.

or is it possible that they preferred to have Payne play this game rather than last night's because New Orleans is more talented than OKC?

Are they? I know they have a better record but OKC is scrappy, plays tough, and is a lot better when SGA plays. He's played about 10 games.

But with CJ McCollum, the Pelicans are better too, so they are probably tougher with two scoring threats now including Ingram.

I'd still be surprised if we are not conservative with Payne since he had a setback and with Holiday we look a lot better at PG.

Edit: Never mind...saw both Holiday and Payne are out in subsequent post.

yikes man, where are we gonna get production from the bench now?

[bwgood77]

or is it possible that they preferred to have Payne play this game rather than last night's because New Orleans is more talented than OKC?

Are they? I know they have a better record but OKC is scrappy, plays tough, and is a lot better when SGA plays. He's played about 10 games.

But with CJ McCollum, the Pelicans are better too, so they are probably tougher with two scoring threats now including Ingram.

I'd still be surprised if we are not conservative with Payne since he had a setback and with Holiday we look a lot better at PG.

Edit: Never mind...saw both Holiday and Payne are out in subsequent post.

yikes man, where are we gonna get production from the bench now?

We will stagger in Craig and Shamet some I think with wings and let bench units play with Booker, Bridges and Cam all at times.

So probably you have Payton, Shamet, Craig, McGee and a starter (and sometimes two) at all times. But of course Payton and McGee can't shoot at all and then Craig is barely over 30% so Shamet at just over 35% from 3 is our best hope for some shooting out of that bench crew. He just needs to get going. I'd probably play him some with the starters though, but sub in Craig early for Cam and then maybe Shamet for Bridges and then let those two come back in to play with the rest of the bench guys while Book sits early 2nd. Then at least you have Payton/Shamet/Bridges/Cam/McGee for a bit and can sub back in Craig a bit and sit one of the others when Book comes back for a bit or something.

[Revived]

or is it possible that they preferred to have Payne play this game rather than last night's because New Orleans is more talented than OKC?

Are they? I know they have a better record but OKC is scrappy, plays tough, and is a lot better when SGA plays. He's played about 10 games.

But with CJ McCollum, the Pelicans are better too, so they are probably tougher with two scoring threats now including Ingram.

I'd still be surprised if we are not conservative with Payne since he had a setback and with Holiday we look a lot better at PG.

Edit: Never mind...saw both Holiday and Payne are out in subsequent post.

yikes man, where are we gonna get production from the bench now?

[Slim Charless]

Give Zion a look at where he wants to demand a trade to in the off-season

This is a much bigger step up in competition. They need to play like they did in the 4th, but all game long this time.

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[PittsburghSuns]

Point Book better play 48 tonight. Team starting to get crushed by the injury bug.

[Barkley6]

Really hope the Holiday injury is minor and precautionary. He's been super important to our bench unit and I want to see him continue to keep up this level of play.

Soreness doesn't sound serious, but Nader had knee soreness and then it turned into management and then it turned into 38 games and the he got waived. Hoping Holiday is back against Utah.

[PittsburghSuns]

Payne must have one heck of a wrist “sprain” to miss 20 straight games

[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

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[Ghost of Kleine]

To the question of Payne playing tonight:

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Looks like he could possibly play. Gametime decision perhaps?

[Slim Charless]

To the question of Payne playing tonight:

Read on Twitter

?s=20&t=hqJ5g-84ArnO8PkzmI1Z5g
Looks like he could possibly play. Gametime decision perhaps?

Probably hold till Utah. That's a big game and he'll be needed. We *should* be able to handle the Pels tonight. If they play like they did in the latter portion of yesterday's game that is.