The Phoenix Suns trailed by five points with 1:02 remaining in regulation on Friday night, but that did not stop Devin Booker and company from emerging victorious in a road game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The final blow came in overtime, when Phoenix inbounded with eight seconds remaining while trailing 111-110.
P.J. Tucker connected with a cutting T.J. Warren for what proved to be the game-winning bucket, and it came as a result of picture-perfect play design from Earl Watson. To be fair, the Pelicans appeared woefully unprepared for what transpired, especially given the location of their best defensive asset, Anthony Davis, on the floor, but Phoenix’s play was both crafty and well-executed.
Prior to overtime was when the real collapse transpired for the Pelicans in their home building, though, as Booker connected on a buzzer-beater to finally knot the score at 102-102.
Booker’s jump shot was an exercise in a big-time offensive player making a play (on a night when the youngster finished with 38 points), but it was also well-designed by Watson, including a solid screen from Tyson Chandler to shed E’Twaun Moore in pursuit of Booker. With the loss, the Pelicans drop to an unsightly 0-6 on the season, while the Suns improve to what seemed to be an unlikely 2-4 mark with their first road win.
