Phoenix Suns' Big 3 combine for 81 points, but not enough in loss to Pelicans

The Phoenix Suns (46-32) lost 113-105 in a heated battle against the New Orleans Pelicans (46-32) at home on Sunday.

The loss ended the Suns' three-game win streak, snapped the Pelicans' four-game skid and closed the three-game season series between the teams at 2-1 in the Suns' favor.

After the Pelicans led for much of the game starting late in the second quarter, the Suns were given a lift late in the game by its Big 3 in Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, who combined for 81 points. Beal had the game-high 33 along with five assists, Booker put up 25 and seven assists, and Durant scored 23 and six assists.

New Orleans' Zion Williamson (29 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks, one steal) was the most productive player on both ends of the floor, and CJ McCollum had the team-high 31 points (7-of-12 on 3s) and five assists.

Another major factor in New Orleans' win was its bench outscoring Phoenix's reserves, 34-7.

The Suns next game is against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 7 p.m., the final of Phoenix's four-game homestand.

Big 3 drives Suns' run in feisty 3rd quarter

Phoenix trailed New Orleans during the entire third quarter and remains behind, 90-83, entering the fourth.

The Suns' Big 3 gave their team a necessary lift when the Suns had their largest deficit, 12 points, at 9:16. They eventually cut the lead to two on mid-range pullup jumpshot by Kevin Durant (21 points) just over five minutes later. Bradley Beal scored eight of his total 18 points (10-of-14 FG, 6-of-7 from the 3) in the third and has five assists, plus Devin Booker produced nine of his 20 in the period.

The intensity between the rival teams culminated when Booker was called for an offensive foul on Dyson Daniels (10 points, five rebounds, two assists) in the backcourt with 1:13 left. Daniels and Booker had a heated exchange and began to shove each other, then Jose Alvarado came after Booker as their teammates on the floor and the coaches separated Booker and Daniels.

Booker and Daniels received double technical fouls, and one was handed to Alvarado (15 points, five made 3s).

Hot shooting from McCollum, Alvarado make Pelicans fly in 2nd quarter

Phoenix lost its momentum and New Orleans moved ahead for a 56-50 lead at halftime.

McCollum scored 11 of his total 21 points and Jose Alvarado came off the bench to put up nine of his 12 during the second quarter. McCollum's been on fire, hitting 8-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-8 from deep, and Alvarado's made 4-of-6, all from 3. The Pelicans' top scorer this season, Zion Williamson, has a balanced stat line of nine points, six rebounds, and four assists.

After Bol Bol’s long arm-stretched dunk put the Suns up 12 at the nine-minute mark, the Pelicans matched the Suns on a 12-0 run to tie the game at 36-36 midway through the quarter.

McCollum then put the Pelicans ahead 39-38 and 44-43 on his four and fifth 3s, respectively. The Pelicans eventually pushed their largest lead to eight twice on two 3s by Alvarado at 1:26 and 27 seconds remaining in the half.

Devin Booker (11 points) and Bradley Beal (10) are the Suns' top scorers thus far. Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen have nine points each.

Booker, Suns defense makes big strike in 1st quarter

Devin Booker had a solid start with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, leading Phoenix to its 26-17 advantage at the end of the opening period.

The Suns offense didn't commit just one turnover, and the team's defense opened the game locking down the Pelicans.

Phoenix forced five of the Pelicans’ six turnovers, including four within the first four minutes, and jumped out to a 20-8 lead through the 3:39 minute mark. The Suns' biggest lead was 12, blocked three shots, snared three steals, converted the takeaways to six points, and have outscored New Orleans 8-3 in fast break points.

The Pelicans' CJ McCollum has begun the game leading all scorers with 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting.

Starting lineups

The Suns will start guards Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant at the three and four spots, and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Pelicans are opening with CJ McCollum and Herb Jones in the backcourt, forwards Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas at center.

Injury reports: Pelicans' Williamson available, Ingram out

(Updated 2:30 pm)

The Suns are nearly at full strength with only Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) listed out, per the team's injury report.

Pelicans coach Willie Green confirmed during his pregame media session that their top player Zion Williamson (finger) and backup guard Jose Alvarado (oblique) have been upgraded from questionable to available, and Naji Marshall (shoulder) was downgraded from questionable to out. In addition, the team's season-best scorer Brandon Ingram (knee) will miss his 10th consecutive game, and out for at least the next two.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns' winning streak snapped by Zion Williamson, Pelicans