Ingram leads New Orleans into matchup against Phoenix
Phoenix Suns (9-11, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (6-15, 14th in the Western Conference)
New Orleans; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans face the Phoenix Suns. Ingram currently ranks ninth in the league scoring 25.4 points per game.
The Pelicans are 5-11 in Western Conference games. New Orleans leads the Western Conference shooting 37.7 percent from downtown led by JJ Redick shooting 45.9 percent from 3-point range.
The Suns are 5-7 in conference play. Phoenix leads the Western Conference with 28.1 assists. Ricky Rubio paces the Suns with 8.3.
The Pelicans won the last meeting between these two squads 124-121 on Nov. 21. Ingram scored 28 points to help lead New Orleans to the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ingram leads the Pelicans scoring 25.4 points per game and averaging 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Jaxson Hayes has averaged 5.8 rebounds and added 9.4 points per game over the last 10 games for New Orleans.
Rubio leads the Suns averaging 8.3 assists while scoring 12.6 points per game. Dario Saric has averaged 8.3 rebounds and added 11.6 points per game over the last 10 games for Phoenix.
LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 3-7, averaging 112.2 points, 40.6 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.1 points on 48.2 percent shooting.
Pelicans: 3-7, averaging 108.5 points, 43.3 rebounds, 22.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.4 points on 47.3 percent shooting.
Pelicans Injuries: Kenrich Williams: day to day (ankle), Zion Williamson: out (right knee), Darius Miller: out (achilles), Derrick Favors: day to day (personal).
Suns Injuries: Aron Baynes: day to day (calf).
