Phoenix Suns’ Monty Williams says free throw disparity in Recreation Four loss to New Orleans Pelicans one thing ‘you need to take a look at’

NEW ORLEANS — Usually low-key by design, Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams had some reducing remarks in regards to the officiating after the New Orleans Pelicans took Recreation Four by a rating of 118-103 on Sunday to even the first-round collection at 2-2.

The Pelicans shot 42 free throws to the Suns’ 15, and it was a 17-2 disparity within the first half. The Suns had been referred to as for 12 extra fouls in what was a basic bodily playoff recreation.

“You’ll be able to slice it any means you need to,” Williams mentioned. “In a playoff recreation that bodily, [the disparity] is wonderful. Coaches should not have to return as much as the microphone and really feel like they are going to get their heads minimize off for talking the reality.”

It was within the Pelicans’ recreation plan to check the Suns’ inside, and Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas mixed to shoot 21 free throws. Ingram completed with 30 factors to change into the primary Pelicans participant in staff historical past to attain 30 or extra in three consecutive playoff video games. Valanciunas rebounded from a poor displaying in Recreation Three to place up 26 factors with 15 rebounds.

The Pelicans took 46 pictures within the paint, however the Suns took 41 themselves.

Phoenix guard Chris Paul did not go to the foul line after going 14 occasions over the primary three video games. He went scoreless within the fourth quarter, the place he had been dominant within the collection, and tied his profession playoff low with simply 4 factors complete.

“It is not like we do not assault the basket,” Williams mentioned. “They outplayed us; they should win. That is a free throw disparity that you need to take a look at … it is onerous [to] swallow.”

Paul supplied his perspective.

“It is just like the outdated NBA, is not it?” Paul mentioned. “I requested one of many refs one time, ‘Are we taking part in within the outdated NBA or the brand new NBA?’ I used to be lucky sufficient to play in each of them; we simply have to determine which one it’ll be.”

Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned his staff had the mindset of eager to get into the paint and to the free throw line.

“We had been being aggressive. … They dominated the paint final recreation,” Inexperienced mentioned. “Had 64 factors within the paint. So we had been properly conscious that we needed to do higher in that space.”

The Pelicans altered their late-game technique towards Paul. As a substitute of counting on a switching technique to deny him drives that had largely failed within the collection, Inexperienced instructed his staff to lure Paul within the fourth quarter. Paul had 4 of his 11 assists within the fourth, however forcing the ball out of his arms clearly was efficient.

“I used to be uninterested in listening to about him breaking data through the fourth quarter,” Pelicans guard CJ McCollum mentioned. “It is only a credit score to our protection. Particularly our depth. But additionally, it is a make-or-miss league. He isn’t going to make each shot. However some nights, he’s going to make quite a lot of robust ones. Tonight, he missed some pictures he made the final three video games. Credit score our protection. But it surely’s a make-or-miss league.”

Jose Alvarado, the undrafted rookie guard who has already developed a popularity as a defensive pest, appeared to unnerve Paul together with his full-court stress protection. Alvarado compelled Paul into an 8-second violation and had two steals.

The usually in-control and fourth-quarter grasp Paul misplaced his cool a number of occasions out of frustration. He dedicated a flagrant foul on Herb Jones — who performed nice protection all evening with three blocks and two steals — after which Paul was hit with a technical foul. Alvarado later goaded Aaron Holiday right into a technical foul, as properly, because the Smoothie King Heart crowd chanted the rhythmic “Jose, Jose, Jose” to the well-known “Ole, ole, ole” melody.

“He is a superb child who performs onerous,” Paul mentioned of Alvarado. “He is a very good power man. I will be higher subsequent recreation; I’ve bought to be.”

The Suns had been with out star Devin Booker for a second consecutive contest as he works again from a hamstring harm suffered in Recreation 2 final week. Booker is progressing in his restoration, however there is no such thing as a official timetable for his return.

With out Booker, the Suns’ offense has cratered. After going 4-of-26 on 3-pointers in a slim Recreation Three victory on Friday, the Suns went simply 7-of-27 on Sunday. Booker’s alternative within the beginning lineup, Cam Johnson, is simply 6-of-19 capturing within the two video games.

“We will not fear about [Booker],” Williams mentioned. “Clearly, we want E book again, however that is not why we misplaced the sport.”

ESPN’s Andrew Lopez contributed to this report.