It didn’t take long for New Orleans and its many first-time playoff participants to get accustomed to the NBA’s biggest stage. It didn’t take long for the Pelicans to make a relatively common prediction that they’d get swept in Round 1 by the league’s best team already incorrect.
After struggling in Game 1 on Sunday, New Orleans responded big-time Tuesday, taking over in the second half with a 69-53 edge. The Pelicans withstood a spectacular first half from Phoenix guard Devin Booker, who piled up 31 points before intermission.
“I thought we settled in,” CJ McCollum said of how the Pelicans responded after their Game 1 loss.