It wasn’t pretty.
The Suns barely showed up for more than two quarters, then struggled to make shots even when their energy increased. They were still down 14 to the Pelicans — who are 1-6 on the season and missing their two best players — late in the third quarter!
But then Mikal Bridges happened. He helped the Suns rev up their defense and finished a number of broken plays on offense. Bridges finished with 22 points.
And Chris Paul happened. First on devastating pick-and-roll passes to JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky for and-one finishes. Then on break-back middys when the defense sagged.