The New Orleans Pelicans fell 114-111 in game 3, but the final score failed to provide the full story. Behind another brilliant closing act from Chris Paul again, the Phoenix Suns had grabbed control of the fourth quarter well before the waning seconds.
That’s a shame because there was an opportunity to seize the victory, and the fans were more than eager to explode in celebration.
The sell-out crowd was ready, filling the Smoothie King Center to the brim in a sea of red “One Nola” T-shirts. The players were dancing outside their locker room before emerging for warmups.