Phoenix Suns 3 Keys to Victory vs Pelicans in First Round of Playoffs

Phoenix Suns Keys to Victory vs New Orleans Pelicans: Turnovers and Rebounding

Phoenix’s single loss vs the Pelicans this year came almost solely due to turnovers and rebounding. Although Phoenix finished that game with a rough, but not exactly terrible 14 turnovers, they entered halftime with 12 giveaways, digging themselves something of an early hole.

With exception to an early November game played before Phoenix found its groove this season, the Suns won all their other games vs New Orleans this year—never turning it over more than 10 times while doing so.

The rebounding discrepancy proved even worse. Going back to that losing effort, Phoenix lost on the boards 37-53. During all their wins vs the Pelicans this year, Phoenix never lost on the glass by worse than 11 boards. The relationship between rebounding/turnovers and winning could not be more clear.

With how efficient Phoenix shoots the ball, forcing turnovers and grabbing extra rebounds represents one of the few avenues opposing teams can take that might lead to victory. McCollum, Jose Alvarado, and Herb Jones? Those guys all average more than one steal per game and crash the boards with chips on their shoulders.

On a lighter side though, this game was one of the first for Phoenix minus Chris Paul, so their slippery grip on the ball that night can be somewhat forgivable. But their ugly play on the glass warrants no excuses and remains something to keep an eye out for in this series.