Suns renew quest for title in first-round opener vs. Pelicans

The Phoenix Suns fell two victories short of an NBA title last season, but they will begin another run at the crown on Sunday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans in the opening game of a Western Conference first-round playoff series.

The top-seeded Suns rebounded from last season’s disappointing conclusion in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks to put together a franchise-best 64-18 record that earned them the No. 1 seed throughout the postseason.

With the West being viewed as weaker than in recent seasons, Phoenix is expected to at least reach the conference finals if not return to the NBA Finals.

But veteran point guard Chris Paul wants to lasso that type of look-ahead chatter.

“Man, I think we gotta take it just one day at a time,” Paul told reporters. “We talk about it took us a whole year to get back to this point so now I think the question is, ‘What we going to do with this opportunity?'”

Few people saw the eighth-seeded Pelicans being the Suns’ first-round opponent after they started 1-12 and never had the services of star Zion Williamson (foot) during the regular season.

But New Orleans recorded two play-in victories, including a 105-101 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, to reach the postseason for the first time since 2017-18. The Pelicans overcame a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Clippers.

New Orleans won eight of its final 13 regular-season games to reach the play-in round and defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday prior to eliminating the Clippers.

“Our guys are great,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said of his players. “That’s how you withstand tough times, with character. We have extremely high-character individuals in our organization. It’s been a joy to go after it with them.”

Brandon Ingram stood out against the Clippers with 30 points, but a stunning effort by Larry Nance Jr. (14 points, 16 rebounds) was a huge help. A midseason trade acquisition of CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers…