Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton help Booker-less Suns beat Pelicans 114-111

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Chris Paul came through in a big way when the Phoenix Suns needed him most.

Paul scored 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and the Suns overcame Devin Booker's absence to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 114-111 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series.

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Deandre Ayton added 28 points and 17 rebounds to help the top-seeded Suns take a 2-1 series lead. Paul scored 15 of Phoenix’s first 23 points of the final quarter. He also had 14 assists.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) is fouled by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series in New Orleans, Friday, April 22, 2022.  (AP Photo/Michael DeMocker)

"He’s just one of those players that plays the right way," Suns coach Monty Williams said. "He understands the ‘when’ and ‘how’ to create for himself and others. The leadership qualities that you guys don’t see in the timeouts is just as impressive as what he does on the floor."

In the first three quarters, Paul fulfilled his characteristic role as a facilitator. He had 12 assists and he had taken just eight shots, making only three.

After New Orleans took its final lead, 93-92, with 5:37 left on Jose Alvarado’s spinning layup, Paul connected on three consecutive midrange jumpers – from 14, 12 and 15 feet – as Phoenix took control, 98-93. Paul hit another lane jumper and made four free throws in the final 1:32 to ice the game.

"It’s a big win for us," Paul said, citing Booker’s absence. "We knew it was going to be by committee. When you come into this arena, we knew it would be tough, but everybody just