Western Conference | Round 1 | (1) Phoenix Suns VS. (8) New Orleans Pelicans (PHX WINS 4-2)

[JujitsuFlip]

Didn't realize they were the early game, same time as the NFL draft and another close out game, oof.

[Mamba Mentality]

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[IamBBAnalysis]

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Lets go!

[tamaraw08]

Pelicans just before the trade deadline were holding a mid top 10 pick more than 12 games under 500, 3 games back of Portland for 10th seed, The bottom of the West was so bad, Portland who traded CJ, decided to tank holding a playin position. THE reason Pelicans traded that pick for CJ is becuase the team was already trending towards the 10th seed playing slightly better than 500 ball, otherwise trading that mid top 10 pick, that far under 500, would have been a terrible decision, especially with DG loving Smith atop this draft.. Pelicans had already turned their season around prior to the trade deadline, they were playing just above 500 with BI after the 3-16 start & were already trending towards the 10th seed making sense to trade their mid top 10 pick, projecting it would not remain top 10. Pre trade deadline, they were on a 5 game win streek. Post trade, they lost their first 4 of 5 games, then put together a mini 3 game streek post allstar break before BI got hurt again for the next 10 games, in which the team played 500 ball with CJ, Just under the pace they were playing before trade. Yet people think they wouldn't have made it without CJ despite playing at relatively the same win pace because of BI's injury which could not have been factored in.

If you watched any Pelicans games & not lying about it, you can say CJ added to the team, what you can't say,, is he was the reason for their turnaround. Saying that is a discredit to the players & Hart that turned their year around.

Pre trade deadline they are on a 5 game winning streak? really? according to ESPN they were only on a 4 game winning streak including 2 versus the tanking Rockets team AND one versus a very bad Pistons team who finished with 59 losses. The one quality win was over the Denver team that played 3 games in 4 nights where Jones shot 75% from 3, Hayes shot 9-9 and JV shot 61%. Prior to that winning "streak" Pels lost 4 straight too. Yes, they went like 6-6 the past 12 games before CJ came, but I just don't see them beating quality teams without him. For 30 games, CJ ave 24 pts on 19 shots, 39% from 3 at 58TS%. I am not saying he is the ultimate superstar that saved the Pelican's season, maybe they still salvaged 10th bec of the fall of the Lakers etc.
Also so far he is struggling and him not shooting well tonight might just seal it for the Suns.

[tsherkin]

So Booker's going to play? That should be fun.

[Phystic]

Heard will be on a minutes restriction

[bwgood77]

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[TheLand13]

I will never get enough of Herbert's defense. This is a ROOKIE.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Alvarado dropped Cam Payne something good

[AussieCeltic]

Hard foul from CJ. I must say it looked way worse live. Possible flagrant 1 though

[Phystic]

Foul looked worse than it was. Didn't see cam get hit in the head. May have missed it though.

Shouldn't be a flagrant imo but today's NBA it may be

[Phystic]

Probably wouldn't have been a flagrant if CJ didn't extend his right arm

[AussieRules]

Suns players acting like a bunch of punks.

[cursedsportsfan]

Anyone who didn't think that was a flagrant is either dumb or hasn't watched the nba for years.

[Phystic]

These refs really trying to be the stars of this game

[AussieCeltic]

Lol. Huge flop Alvarado… I’d be more upset but CP3 is the king of that

[NyKnicks1714]

That flop was a thing of beauty.

[AussieRules]

CJ selling right now

[cursedsportsfan]

Cp3 letting a rookie get in his head
Come on man

[Phystic]

Flop or not I'm not sure how that's a foul on Paul. He wasn't moving, he didn't put a hip or leg out. He just stopped