Many of those who predicted that top-seeded Phoenix would quickly dispose of No. 8 New Orleans via a 4-0 first-round sweep may not have been aware that the Pelicans entered the Western Conference playoffs at 10-2 since the All-Star break with Brandon Ingram in the lineup. They might not have realized that after New Orleans struggled for a handful of games following a trade for CJ McCollum, the Pelicans had been one of the West’s top teams for an extended stretch. Unaware that an unheralded piece in the same deal, Larry Nance Jr., had fit perfectly into the team’s second unit.
Pelicans defied prognostications by seizing Game 2 win on Suns' home floor
