With a performance of pride and enormous defensive commitment, the New Orleans Pelicans equaled the NBA playoff series 2-2 against the Phoenix Suns this Sunday, winning 118-103 on a night illuminated by Brandon’s 30 points. Ingram, the 26 of the Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas and for the contagious effort in defense of the Hispanic José Alvarado.
José Alvarado, an American with Puerto Rican and Mexican roots, drove Chris Paul crazy with his defensive aggressiveness, particularly in the last period, in which his steals and sacrifice were key to a victory that completely reopened the series against the Suns. , who continue to miss the injured Devin Booker.
“You have to fight”, was the motto printed on the red jerseys that the Pelicans gave to their fans to try to start the comeback from the stands.
And the New Orleans team assumed its role as the underdog against the mighty leader of the Western Conference and fought with everything, fought for every ball and finished with a prize.
Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pelicans with 30 points, to which he added four rebounds and five assists, while Valanciunas was dominant with 26 points, fifteen rebounds and four assists.
CJ McCollum contributed 18 points, with nine rebounds and two assists.
The five points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals from José Alvarado are not enough to explain his weight in this victory.
His pressure on Chris Paul, during and after the actions, with the game stopped, caused the Suns star to just score four points and lose three balls.
Of course, the veteran teacher distributed eleven assists, on a night in which, in the absence of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton scored 23 points, with eight rebounds.
The series now returns to Phoenix with the Suns forced to make the home court factor good, which is still on their side, to avoid what would be the big surprise in this first round of the NBA playoffs.
–
