BOTTOM LINE: The Phoenix Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans to open the Western Conference first round. Phoenix went 3-1 against New Orleans during the regular season.

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[{"selector":"#anim-5d71a879-5b7e-4b49-bd7c-49185f6aeb26 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-19.7440009675978%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2726db7e-2924-416b-80bd-d7461604dda7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01cc9bee-0627-417d-a216-5a5914b82cfe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.51104%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Suns won the last regular season matchup 131-115 on March 16. Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points, and Herbert Jones led the Pelicans with 22 points.

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The Pelicans are 25-27 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans has an 18-32 record against teams over .500.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Chris Paul is averaging 14.7 points, 10.8 assists and 1.9 steals for the Suns. Booker is averaging 34.3 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 52.2% over the past 10 games for Phoenix.

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Jonas Valanciunas is shooting 54.4% and averaging 17.8 points for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for New Orleans.

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LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 6-4, averaging 114.6 points, 43.3 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points per game.

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