MY ACCOUNT
Chris Paul says his NBA playoff-record shooting night in the Phoenix Suns’ 115-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans was a simple matter of needs must.
The 12-time All-Star went a perfect 14-of-14 as the Suns took out Game 6 and advanced to the second round, setting the NBA playoff record for most field goals without a miss in a single game.
The Point God took over in the third quarter and at an ideal time for the Western Conference’s first seed, making all six shots as the Pelicans’ double-digit lead from half-time evaporated.
Paul made reference to the fact the Suns were staring a Game 7 in the face at the start of the third quarter, and he had to perform.
“We needed it,” Paul said post-game. “That team right there, they pushed us as hard as you can be pushed, and I think it might have been some point in the second quarter, I said to someone ‘Imma get aggressive.’
“Coming out the third quarter, I saw how the game was going. We were down 10, so I knew I had to try to force the issue.”
The 36-year-old faced particular difficulty with the Pelicans’ ability to switch, as well as the primary Jose Alvarado matchup, with Devin Booker out for the previous three games due to a hamstring injury.
Booker’s presence allowed Paul an increased ability to penetrate and attack the paint, and the veteran point guard was thankful afterwards.
“It’s real nice to have Devin back,” he said. “All the pressure from the series, especially the last three games – it’s a little bit different when you got him out there on the court.”
The Suns will now face the Dallas Mavericks, who also progressed on Thursday with their Game 6 win on the road against the Utah Jazz.
