The improving Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans took advantage of a tired and Damian Lillard-less Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, winning 115-104. They were led by Brandon Ingram, who scored 21 points in his first game back after missing four games due to a knee injury, and Jrue Holiday, who double-doubled with 22 points and a game-high 10 assists. The victory is the Pels’ first back-to-back win this season and they now hold a 5-9 record.

The return of Brandon Ingram is great news for the Pelicans. He’s been the team’s best source of offense, averaging 25.4 points and 2.6 threes per game on an efficient 52.2% field goal shooting and a 44.4% clip from downtown. Each of those numbers are by far the best in his career.

With injuries still hobbling most of the Pelicans’ standard rotation, both Ingram and Holiday will continue having more opportunities to produce. The two also looked solid against the Phoenix Suns last season – while a member of LA Lakers, Ingram scored 20 or more points against the Suns twice in three games, one of which had him shooting 9-for-11 from the field, while the Holiday posted 20 points, nine assists, 2.5 steals in two meetings.

Avoiding a slump

After a strong, 5-2 start, the Phoenix Suns have proceeded to trend down. They have now lost four of their last six games, with the previous two coming from a 99-85 home loss to the Boston Celtics and a 120-116 defeat to the Sacramento Kings, where a 41-point effort in the final period came up short.

Adding to the concern of the Suns is the injury of their floor general, Ricky Rubio, who’s listed as day-to-day due to back issues. He’s averaging 12.5 points and 8.1 assists per game and has been a big piece to the team’s early surge.

With Rubio’s status up in the air, Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr. will have to do extra work. Booker should be able to handle the heavier offensive load. Putting points has never been an issue on his end (24.4 PPG in his last four seasons) and he’s also in good position to have his second-straight season averaging over six assists per game. Oubre, meanwhile, is basically posting career-highs across the board – points, rebounds, steals, field goal shooting, etc. – and he appears to be primed for a productive night against a terrible Pelicans defense.

PREDICTION:

The Suns take it and get back on the win column. Look for Ingram and Booker to have team-high points.