The Pelicans may be facing elimination from the postseason in tonight's Game 6 showdown at the Smoothie King Center with the Phoenix Suns, but they aren't backing down an inch from the physical style that has already gotten them two wins in a series with the NBA's overall #1 seed.
Midway through the second quarter, the game has often been a one-possession affair in either direction as the two teams tangle both figuratively and literally.
Already four players - Javale McGee and Cam Johnson for the Suns, Jaxson Hayes and Jonas Valanciunas for the Pelicans - have at least two fouls apiece. And Pelicans point guard C.J. McCollum had a hard foul on Johnson upgraded to a Flagrant 1 upon referee review.
Pelicans backup guard Jose Alvarado, already on his way to cult hero status in the Big Easy, also gave Pelicans point guard Chris Paul a taste of one of his own tricks, putting his body on the line to take a hard foul from CP3.
Win or lose, the Suns shouldn't expect the Pelicans to stop swinging until the clock hits all zeroes.