Goran Dragic almost didn't see the court on Friday night. The Phoenix Suns point guard was a game-time decision against the New Orleans Pelicans with a sore right ankle. It's a good thing he did, as he went on to score a career-high 40 points as the Suns beat the Pelicans, 116-104.
Goran Dragic scores career-high 40 points against Pelicans
The Phoenix guard has been on a tear since he was snubbed from the All-Star Game.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Despite having one of the best rim-protecting talents in the NBA in Anthony Davis, the Pelicans couldn't keep Dragic out of the lane. He was 9-of-9 on shots inside of five feet, dominating off the pick-and-roll. The Suns did a particularly good job of playing small ball against Davis, who is incredibly mobile for a big man. Phoenix drew Davis out of the lane on several opportunities for Dragic, moving Markieff Morris and Channing Frye on the three-point line.
Phoenix was trouble for the Pelicans right out of the gate, with Dragic carrying the heavy load on offense. He poured in 15 of the Suns’ 30 first quarter points. The Pelicans were able hold him scoreless in the second period, but when the Suns needed him most in the fourth he came through, including back-to-back jumpers that pushed the game out of reach with under six minutes remaining. He finished with 40 points on 14-of-21 shooting, adding five assists and three rebounds while going 9-of-11 from the free throw line.
Dragic has been on a bit of a tear since the All-Star break, previously scoring 35 points against Houston on Feb. 23, his old career-high for points. Largely viewed as one of the biggest All-Star snubs, the Slovenian floor general has had a breakout season. He is averaging a career-high 20.6 points per-game alongside an offensive rating of 120. He has limited his turnover rate to 14.9%, his best whole-season average, despite a three percent increase in his usage over last season.
Dragic has been a big reason the Suns, considered by many to be a lottery team this year, have been a surprise out West with a record of 34-24. The two-headed monster of Dragic and Eric Bledsoe has proven effective, and first-year coach Jeff Hornacek is a legitimate candidate for Coach of the Year. With Dragic firing on all cylinders, the Suns are expected to remain in the playoff picture and are sure to be a challenge for whomever they draw in the first round.
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