Box scores tell us a story. But quite often, what they tell us is not the entire story. Game 1 of the Phoenix Suns’ first-round matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans was a perfect illustration of this dichotomy.
The numbers tell us that the Suns won Sunday night’s game with ease, as they never trailed on the night and maintained a lead of at least 5 points from the 2nd quarter onwards. But those that watched Game 1 would tell a different story, of how the Pelicans cut a 23-point lead early in the third to 8 by the end of the quarter and continued fighting late into the 4th quarter.