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Game Thread: Can Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe keep pace with Chris Paul and Devin Booker?

Clash of several 2-1 Western Conference teams

NBA: New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of tonight’s matchup between the Pelicans and Suns, Stan Van Gundy talked about the ability of the Suns to execute well to pregame media, giving the nod to Monty Williams and their starting backcourt.

Slowing down Chris Paul (12.7 points, 9.7 assists) and Devin Booker (22.7 points, 2.0 threes) will be the priority for the Pelicans. Based on the team’s first three games, the effort should be there from Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe, plus Steven Adams can be counted on to give help, but can the New Orleans starting backcourt keep pace offensively with Phoenix’s dynamic duo?

While Ball has largely been fine (12.7 points, 41.9 FG%) on both ends of the floor, Bledsoe has struggled immensely with putting the ball through the hoop (33.3 FG%, 31.6 3PT%, 50 FT%). Tonight would be a good time for him to break out of his slump, JJ Redick (34.5 FG%, 31.8 3PT%) probably too.

For more on this matchup, please give our preview a read.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans (2-1) at Phoenix Suns (2-1)

When: December 29, 9:00 p.m. Central

Where to watch: FSNO, TNT

Where to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM

For more Pelicans talk, subscribe to The Bird Calls podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @OlehKosel.